Climate Change Threatens Alaska's Indigenous Communities Amid Extreme Weather Events

Sun Nov 23 2025 07:09:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Indigenous villages on Alaska's western coast face flooding and erosion exacerbated by climate change, leaving communities vulnerable and raising concerns about relocation efforts.

Recent storms in Alaska, including remnants of Typhoon Halong, have intensified the vulnerability of low-lying Indigenous villages, such as Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, to flooding and erosion. Many residents face potential displacement amid a backdrop of limited federal support for relocation. Experts warn that the impacts of climate change are accelerating, necessitating urgent action and enhanced resilience strategies for these communities.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Storms that battered Alaska’s western coast this fall have drawn renewed attention to low-lying Indigenous villages increasingly threatened by climate change. This situation highlights their sustainability as the region experiences frequent flooding, thawing permafrost, and significant erosion.

As winter sets in, emergency repair efforts from two October storms, including Typhoon Halong's remnants, have slowed. Residents of hard-hit areas worry about their futures, with some displaced for months. Kwigillingok, already pursuing relocation efforts, faces significant challenges, including a lack of centralized coordination and funding, especially following cuts to federal climate protection grants during the Trump administration.

Where we can support increased resilience to buy that time for our communities, we will do that, said Bryan Fisher, state emergency management director, emphasizing the need to reinforce existing infrastructure.

Indigenous Communities at Risk

Alaska is warming at a rate faster than the global average. A report from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium indicated that 144 Native communities are threatened by erosion, flooding, and thawing permafrost. Coastal populations are particularly vulnerable as reduced Arctic sea ice leads to greater storm damage, and thawing permafrost exacerbates erosion.

Recent storms have eroded significant portions of shoreline, damaging culturally relevant sites. Historical records show that, since 1970, only four ex-typhoons have reached the Bering Sea coast, with three occurring since 2022, raising concerns among local residents.

The aftermath of Typhoon Halong resulted in unprecedented destruction, with about 700 homes severely damaged or destroyed, prompting fears for safety and housing stability in affected areas.

Challenges and Costs of Relocation

At-risk communities have limited options: reinforcing existing structures, moving to higher ground, or complete relocation—all of which demand substantial funding. A report estimates around $4.3 billion will be needed over 50 years to safeguard infrastructure in Native communities. With insufficient resources, relocation decisions can lead to complications that limit future funding opportunities for communities facing imminent danger.

Past relocation projects, like that of Newtok, indicate the lengthy and expensive process required, revealing that many communities may not have time for such extensive measures.

Uncertain Federal Support

The federal government's infrastructure initiatives have created some pathways for relocation funding. However, significant challenges remain, with various agency resources scattered without clear coordination, hampering effective relocation efforts.

Plans for continued federal backing under the Trump administration have come under scrutiny. Funding slashes have already impeded various disaster-related programs, including crucial data for assessing climate impacts on vulnerable communities.

Despite the difficulties, community leaders like Sheryl Musgrove express hope for future changes aimed at improving local capabilities to respond to climate challenges as national attention shifts toward the pressing crisis faced by these Indigenous communities.