Alaska Airlifts Hundreds from Coastal Villages Devastated by Flooding
One of the most significant airlifts in Alaska’s history is underway to move hundreds of people from coastal villages ravaged by high surf and strong winds from the remnants of Typhoon Halong. The storm brought record water levels to two low-lying communities, washing away homes and leaving many without shelter. Makeshift shelters were quickly established, and the number of people seeking refuge has swelled to about 1,500, an extraordinary number in a sparsely populated region where communities are reachable only by air or water.
According to Jeremy Zidek, a spokesperson for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, one person was rescued, and two remain missing after a home was washed out to sea. The incident highlights the devastating impact of the storm, with homes destroyed and communities left without basic services. Zidek noted that the storm’s effects are being felt across the coast of Alaska, with multiple communities impacted.
Evacuation Efforts and Damage Assessment
About 300 evacuees were being brought to Anchorage, approximately 500 miles east of the battered coastline villages, according to the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Some evacuees are being received at a temporary shelter set up at the Alaska Airlines Center, an arena in Anchorage. The remoteness and scale of the destruction have created challenges for getting resources in place, with damage assessments trickling in as responders shift from initial search-and-rescue operations to trying to stabilize or restore basic services.
The communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, near the Bering Sea, saw water levels more than 6 feet above the highest normal tide line. Some homes cannot be reoccupied, even with emergency repairs, and others may not be livable by winter. Forecasters say rain and snow are possible in the region this weekend, with average temperatures soon below freezing. Mark Roberts, the incident commander with the state emergency management agency, said the immediate focus is on “making sure people are safe, warm, and cared for while we work with our partners to restore essential services.”
Crisis Response and Long-term Concerns
The crisis unfolding in southwest Alaska has drawn attention to the Trump administration’s cuts to grants aimed at helping small, mostly Indigenous villages prepare for storms or mitigate disaster risks. For example, a $20 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to Kipnuk, which was inundated by floodwaters, was terminated by the Trump administration. The grant was intended to protect the boardwalk residents use to get around the community and 1,400 feet of river from erosion. Jill Habig, CEO of Public Rights Project, said, “What’s happening in Kipnuk shows the real cost of pulling back support that was already promised to front-line communities.”
The situation in Alaska serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting vulnerable communities in the face of climate change. As the state continues to respond to the crisis, it is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of those affected. For more information on the situation in Alaska, visit Here
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