Alaska Airlifts Hundreds from Flooded Coastal Villages

Alaska is undertaking one of its largest airlifts to evacuate hundreds from coastal villages severely impacted by flooding and strong winds following the remnants of Typhoon Halong. The storm caused record water levels in low-lying communities, washing away homes, some with occupants inside. Makeshift shelters have been established, accommodating approximately 1,500 individuals in this remote region accessible only by air or water.

Jeremy Zidek, spokesperson for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, reported that one person has been rescued, while two remain missing after a home was swept into the sea.

Approximately 300 evacuees are being transported to Anchorage, located about 500 miles east of the affected villages. Temporary shelters, including one at the Alaska Airlines Center, are receiving the displaced residents. The remoteness and scale of destruction pose challenges for resource deployment, with damage assessments ongoing as responders shift from search-and-rescue to restoring basic services.

The communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok near the Bering Sea experienced water levels exceeding six feet above the highest normal tide line. Some homes are uninhabitable even with emergency repairs, and others may not be livable by winter. Forecasts indicate possible rain and snow in the region this weekend, with average temperatures soon dropping below freezing.

Mark Roberts, incident commander with the state emergency management agency, emphasized the immediate focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of residents while working to restore essential services.

The crisis has drawn attention to previous cuts in grants aimed at helping small, predominantly Indigenous villages prepare for storms or mitigate disaster risks. For instance, a $20 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to Kipnuk, intended to protect the community's infrastructure from erosion, was terminated by the Trump administration. Environmental groups argue that such cuts have left communities vulnerable to the growing effects of climate change.

Jill Habig, CEO of Public Rights Project, highlighted the consequences of withdrawing promised support to frontline communities, stating that it jeopardizes people's safety, homes, and futures.