Thursday, October 16, 2025-A powerful storm fueled by the remnants of Typhoon Halong has devastated two remote Alaskan villages, destroying homes and forcing more than 1,500 residents to flee.
The coastal communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were almost completely wiped out as storm surges and hurricane-force winds tore through the region. Rescue officials confirmed at least one death, with two people still missing and dozens airlifted to safety after floodwaters swept away entire structures.
Residents described scenes of chaos as homes drifted from their foundations and power systems failed. In Kwigillingok, hundreds of evacuees were sheltered inside a school that had lost plumbing and heating, while emergency crews battled freezing temperatures and rising tides.
Fuel leaks, communication breakdowns, and impassable terrain made rescue efforts slow and dangerous. Many residents—mostly Alaska Natives—have now been relocated to temporary shelters in nearby towns as state and federal agencies assess the destruction.
Officials warn that rebuilding will be a monumental challenge. With winter fast approaching and the area only reachable by boat or air, recovery could take months or even years.
Meteorologists say unusually warm ocean temperatures likely intensified the storm, pointing again to the growing vulnerability of Alaska’s coastal villages to climate-driven weather extremes.
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