Typhoon Halong's Remnants Cause Severe Flooding in Western Alaska

The remnants of Typhoon Halong have brought hurricane-force winds and catastrophic flooding to coastal communities in western Alaska. Rescue aircraft were dispatched to the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, where reports indicated up to 20 people were possibly unaccounted for, according to Jeremy Zidek, spokesperson for the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Zidek stated that there were reports of homes floating away with people potentially inside them.

Alaska State Troopers reported that both Kipnuk and Kwigillingok experienced strong winds and heavy flooding overnight, resulting in significant damage, including at least eight homes being pushed from their foundations. More than a dozen agencies, including the Alaska National Guard, are involved in the disaster response. The National Guard announced that up to 60 members of the Alaska Organized Militia have been requested to assist with storm response operations across affected western Alaska communities.

In Kipnuk, over 170 people stayed overnight at a community shelter as water levels rose 6.6 feet above the highest tide. At least eight homes were swept away, according to Zidek. Roads and boardwalks were inundated, and power lines were damaged in Bethel, Napaskiak, Napakiak, and other Yukon-Kuskokwim communities. Crews worked to clear the airport runway in Bethel, which was littered with debris from high winds. The area is among the most isolated in the U.S., where some communities have few roads, and residents use boardwalks, boats, and snowmobiles to get around, Zidek noted.

Governor Mike Dunleavy stated that every effort will be made to help those affected by the storm and that help is on the way. He expanded the state's disaster declaration to include areas impacted by the storm, having initially issued the declaration on Thursday in western Alaska following another powerful storm.