In brief
Two small Native villages in Alaska, Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, have suffered severe damage following a storm caused by Typhoon Halong. Over 1,500 residents have been displaced, with many staying in shelters lacking basic facilities. Power outages and severe infrastructure damage have raised concerns about recovery, especially with winter approaching.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The coastal communities of Alaska are bracing for more rain and wind as recovery efforts continue following the devastation caused by the remnants of Typhoon Halong. Officials are working to find shelter for more than 1,500 people uprooted by the storm.
This weekend's tempest pummeled low-lying Indigenous villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, leading to at least one confirmed death, with two individuals currently unaccounted for. The U.S. Coast Guard intervened to rescue two dozen people when their homes were swept away into the sea.
Residents are currently housed in makeshift shelters, including schools, where some report inadequate facilities. Hundreds have been evacuated to an armory in Bethel, a nearby town.
Among the hardest-hit locales are Kipnuk, home to about 715 residents, and Kwigillingok, with a population of 380. These areas are isolated, making recovery efforts all the more challenging.
Mark Roberts of the state emergency management division emphasized the gravity of the crisis, stating, It’s catastrophic in Kipnuk. Let’s not paint any other picture. Various community members expressed heartache over the losses they have faced, including how they watched homes float away at night.
Efforts are being made to restore basic services, including sanitation and power, as communities struggle with the aftermath of severe flooding and structural damage. Officials are also concerned about the impending winter, which could exacerbate the vulnerability of displaced residents and complicate recovery efforts.
Experts suggest that climate change is intensifying storm activity in the region, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive support and resources to assist the affected communities as they navigate this disaster.
