Photo: Alaska Division of Homeland Security Management
First responders in Alaska have conducted numerous rescues following the remnants of Typhoon Halong, which caused severe flooding and destruction over the weekend. The storm, which originated in the northern Philippine Sea on October 5, brought hurricane-force winds and record-breaking floodwaters to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region, displacing over 1,400 residents and washing away homes.
The storm left at least one person dead in the village of Kwigillingok, where 18 people were rescued. In Kipnuk, another 16 individuals were saved. The Alaska State Troopers and the U.S. Coast Guard have been actively involved in rescue operations, with over 50 people rescued from the hardest-hit areas.
The storm's impact has been compared to Hurricane Katrina, with U.S. Coast Guard Commander Capt. Christopher Culpepper describing the devastation as "complete" in some villages. At a news conference, he noted that homes were swept off their foundations, forcing residents to cling to debris for survival.
The National Weather Service reported that water levels in Kipnuk reached 6.6 feet above normal high tide, breaking previous records set in 2000. Wind speeds in the region reached up to 107 mph, causing significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, communication lines, and runways.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has declared a disaster for the region, facilitating additional resources for recovery efforts. State Emergency Operations Center head Mark Roberts emphasized the priority of locating missing persons and providing aid to affected communities.
Despite the improvement in weather conditions, forecasters warn of another storm system that could bring further coastal flooding.