Tragedy struck western Alaska as one person lost their life while two others remain missing following the aftermath of Typhoon Halong. The region was hit with destructive hurricane-force winds, storm surges, and floods that led to the destruction of several homes. Over 50 individuals have been successfully rescued, with some rescued from rooftops. Authorities have emphasized the urgent need for sustained support in the recovery process for the severely affected communities.
Capt. Christopher Culpepper of the U.S. Coast Guard described the scenes in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok villages as scenes of “absolute devastation.” Alaska State Troopers reported the rescue of at least 51 individuals and two dogs in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, which faced significant storm surges, according to the National Weather Service.
In Kwigillingok, one woman was found deceased, and two individuals are still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, earlier reports of missing individuals in Kipnuk were later confirmed as inaccurate by the troopers. Most residents sought refuge in local schools, as highlighted by the non-profit Coastal Villages Region Fund.
Kwigillingok, home to about 380 people, is a predominantly Indigenous community situated on the western shoreline of Kuskokwim Bay near the mouth of the Kuskokwim River.
Vulnerability to Flooding in Low-Lying Areas
A 2022 report by the Alaska Institute for Justice, commissioned for the local Indigenous residents, underscored the escalating frequency and severity of flooding in the low-lying region. The report also stressed the pressing need for community relocation.
Besides housing issues, affected residents in the area reported power outages, lack of running water, spoilage of subsistence foods stored in freezers, and damage to home-heating systems. The damages could pose challenges during the upcoming winter in remote communities heavily reliant on stored food from hunting and fishing.
Residents like Jamie Jenkins, 42, from Napakiak, shared their harrowing experiences, labeling the storm as the worst they had ever encountered. Jenkins recounted the terrifying winds and rapidly rising waters on Sunday morning, which led her, her mother, and a neighbor to seek refuge at a nearby school after their homes faced significant damage.
Adaline Pete from Kotlik described unprecedented strong winds, causing an adjacent unoccupied house to overturn. Despite the chaos, Pete’s family found shelter in their home.
During a news briefing led by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan pledged to prioritize climate resilience and infrastructure funding for Alaska. Sullivan emphasized the imperative role of the congressional delegation in advocating for the importance of such funding among government officials.
Earlier this year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the termination of a disaster risk mitigation program, a decision now facing legal challenges. Murkowski highlighted the time-consuming nature of erosion mitigation projects, underscoring the pressing need for immediate action given the escalating frequency and intensity of storms.
The state of Alaska is grappling with the threats posed by erosion and melting permafrost, which jeopardize infrastructure and entire communities due to the impacts of climate change.