Deadly Typhoon Destroys Dozens of Homes in Alaska, Forcing Hundreds of Residents Into Shelters

Alaska residents are still coming to grips with the deadly flooding from the remnants of Typhoon Halong, which wiped away villages and wreaked havoc on roads and homes.

The record-setting storm left at least one person dead and damaged main roads and infrastructure, including a regional airport.

The storm tore into Western Alaska early Sunday morning, delivering hurricane-force winds and unprecedented storm surges to some of the state's most remote communities, according to the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM).

Among the hardest-hit locales are Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, small Alaska Native villages that lie along the western coast of Alaska, several hundred miles southwest of Anchorage.

Storm surge and heavy rain have been ongoing since last week from another storm, which exacerbated the situation over the weekend.

The DHS&EM confirmed that “Coast Guard and National Guard crews have rescued at least 51 people so far from two of the hardest-hit communities: Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.”

“Every effort will be made to help those hit by this storm. Help is on the way,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy wrote in a Facebook post on Oct. 12.

The extent of the flooding broke historical records.

“At Kipnuk, the water reached 6.6 feet above the normal highest tide mark,” according to meteorologist David Kramer, of the National Weather Service. It surpassed the previous record of 4.7 feet set in 2000.

“The surge at Kwigillingok was several feet higher than the last record high water,” he said, according to Alaska Public Media.

Meanwhile, a report prepared for the local tribe in 2022 by the Alaska Institute for Justice said the frequency and severity of flooding in the low-lying region had increased in recent years, according to CBS News. The report listed relocation of the community as an urgent need.

Rescue teams faced urgent and dangerous conditions. Alaska State Troopers confirmed that a woman who had gone missing in Kwigillingok was found dead and two others from the same village are missing.

According to the state's research center, approximately 1,400 survivors sought refuge in community shelters, with many staying in local schools.

The DHS&EM added that responders from the U.S. Coast Guard were deployed to Kipnuk and Kwigillingok to assist with “search and rescue and community support.”

Mark Roberts, head of the State Emergency Operations Center, told Alaska Public Media that the storm is taking a toll on affected residents.

“It’s been very scary—very, very scary—for folks," he said.

The governor issued a disaster declaration for the 2025 October West Coast Storm, citing “above high tide sea surge which inundated several communities.”

Initially, the declaration included the Kashunamiut, Lower Yukon, and Bering Strait Regional Education Attendance Areas (REAA), along with the Northwest Arctic and North Slope Boroughs.

Following worsening conditions, the state amended the disaster declaration to add the Yupitt, Pribilof Island, and Lower Kuskokwim REAAs, as reported in a later update from the DHS&EM.

Communities and individuals in these areas are now eligible for state public assistance and individual assistance disaster recovery programs.

Infrastructure damage was widespread. The DHS&EM stated that multiple communities “reported damage to critical infrastructure and homes.”

The State Emergency Operation Center deployed field supervisors and requested personnel from the Alaska National Guard and Alaska State Defense Force to provide on-the-ground support.

Typhoon Halong initially formed southeast of Japan around Oct. 3 and reached Category 4 strength with sustained winds of 130 to 156 mph before shifting northeast toward Alaska.

By the time it reached the Alaskan coastline, it had lost tropical status but retained dangerous wind speeds and water surges.

“This event is far from over,” Roberts said. While some areas may be spared in the next storm, others “could see a greater impact.”

The State Emergency Operations Center is working with state and nongovernmental partners, including the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Health, the Red Cross, and tribal organizations.

Despite the current federal government shutdown, federal response elements remain on standby to support state operations.

Residents affected by the disaster may now apply for state individual assistance at ready.alaska.gov/Recovery/IA.