Alaska Typhoon: Remnants of Typhoon Halong Bring Widespread Damage to Western Alaska

"Western Alaska is reeling from the remnants of Typhoon Halong, which brought hurricane-force winds and record-breaking storm surge to the region. The storm, which made landfall on Sunday morning, has left dozens of people injured and several missing, with at least 51 rescued so far in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.
Residents of Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, and Napakiak reported homes being swept away by floodwaters, with some people trapped inside. Ryan David of Kwigillingok recounted the terrifying experience of watching his home lift off its foundation. "The flood lifted us up, and I didn't think it was going to happen," he said. "I yelled at my kids to get up and group up here on the stairs, just in case."
Search efforts are underway, with the Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska Army National Guard, and US Coast Guard assisting. Jeremy Zidek, spokesperson for the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, confirmed that rescue aircraft were sent to the affected areas. "We have received reports that people's homes have floated away and that people were potentially in those homes," he said.
The storm has also brought attention to the vulnerability of Western Alaska's coastal communities to extreme weather events. As the climate continues to change, residents and officials are bracing for more frequent and intense storm systems. 'It's a wake-up call for all of us,' said an official, 'to take action and prepare for the consequences of climate change.'"
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it's clear that Typhoon Halong has left a lasting impact on Western Alaska. As the region begins to rebuild, residents and officials are left to wonder: What's next for this battered community? And how will they prepare for the next storm?