Ex-Typhoon Halong slammed into western Alaska in October 2025, bringing record-breaking storm surges, hurricane-force winds, and catastrophic flooding that left one person dead, several missing, and over a thousand displaced. The disaster highlighted the extreme vulnerability of remote coastal communities and underscored the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and long-term recovery strategies in the face of increasingly severe weather events.
Western Alaska faced an unprecedented natural disaster in October 2025 as the remnants of Typhoon Halong unleashed a furious assault of hurricane-force winds and devastating storm surges. This extreme weather event, which authorities described as “the worst I’ve ever seen” and “absolute devastation,” brought widespread destruction to the remote Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and other coastal communities, impacting lives, homes, and critical infrastructure.
The Fury of Ex-Typhoon Halong: Record-Breaking Storms
The typhoon’s remnants, after passing Japan and crossing the Pacific, brought a destructive combination of powerful winds and immense coastal surges. Wind speeds in some parts of the region, such as Kusilvak, reached over 100 mph, with gusts recorded at an astonishing 107 mph. The storm surge resulted in water levels peaking at 6.6 feet above normal high tide in Kipnuk, shattering the previous record of 4.7 feet set in 2000. Similarly, Kwigillingok experienced water levels 6.3 feet above high tide, far exceeding its 1990 record of 3.1 feet, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Michael Ottenweller, as reported by USA Today.
Communities like Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, and Napakiak in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta were among the hardest hit. Dramatic videos and aerial photos showed entire villages underwater, homes dislodged from their foundations, and widespread infrastructure damage. Residents like Jamie Jenkins, 42, of Napakiak, described the storm as “the worst I’ve ever seen,” a sentiment echoed by Capt. Christopher Culpepper, commander of US Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska, who called the conditions in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok “absolute devastation.”
Immediate Aftermath and Rescue Efforts
The human toll of Ex-Typhoon Halong was immediate and tragic. An adult woman was found deceased in the village of Kwigillingok, and authorities confirmed two other individuals from the same community remained unaccounted for. First responders from multiple agencies launched extensive search and rescue operations, often under challenging conditions, including the cover of darkness with people attempting to cling to debris.
Rescue teams, including the Alaska National Guard, US Army National Guard, Alaska State Troopers, and the US Coast Guard, were deployed to affected areas. As of Oct. 13, at least 51 people and two dogs had been rescued in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. Twenty-four people were specifically saved from two homes that had been swept away in Kwigillingok. These efforts were critical in mitigating further loss of life amidst the chaos. Jeremy Zidek, a spokesperson for the state division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, noted that reports indicated “people’s homes have floated away and that people were potentially in those homes.”
A Devastating Toll on Communities and Infrastructure
Beyond the immediate danger, the flooding caused widespread displacement and damage to the unique infrastructure of western Alaska. Over 1,000 residents were forced from their homes, seeking shelter in schools and other community buildings. Approximately 587 residents sheltered overnight in Kipnuk, while around 400 people found refuge in Kwigillingok.
The storm’s impact on infrastructure was crippling:
- Homes: Numerous homes were flooded, and many were completely swept off their foundations.
- Transportation: Roads, boardwalks, and even airport runways were damaged. The runway in Kipnuk was closed to fixed-wing aircraft, complicating aid delivery. An aerial photo showed Kotzebue experiencing flooding, highlighting the widespread nature of the disaster.
- Communication: Communication lines were severed in several areas, with satellite internet deployed to restore connectivity.
- Power Outages: Many communities experienced significant power outages.
- Subsistence Livelihoods: The power outages had a particularly harsh impact on traditional subsistence communities. As Nome resident Kim Knudsen lamented, without power, “all of their subsistence, all of their fish and meat they’ve collected over the summer… the meat is rotting. The fish is rotting. That’s really hard.” This loss strikes at the heart of the Alaskan Native way of life.
Historical Context and Alaska’s Resilience
While the devastation from Halong in 2025 was immense, western Alaska is no stranger to powerful storms. The region has experienced severe weather events for decades, with Nome Mayor John Handeland noting previous major storms in 2011, 2004, and 1974. Most recently, Typhoon Merbok in September 2022 caused widespread flooding and significant damage, prompting Governor Mike Dunleavy to issue a disaster declaration for what he called an “unprecedented storm.” The impact of Halong is believed by some, including the Coastal Villages Region Fund nonprofit, to potentially surpass the damage caused by Merbok.
Despite the recurring challenges, Alaskan communities have shown remarkable resilience. In Nome, cleanup efforts began immediately with numerous volunteers clearing debris and providing support. Kim Knudsen, a Nome resident, highlighted the community spirit: “We’ll clean up around our place. Then around town. We have camp neighbors so how we see it is if they’re out cleaning then we’re out cleaning as well. We’ll be out there helping them.” This collective effort is vital in the face of such widespread destruction, particularly given the approaching winter freeze which necessitates rapid cleanup to avoid further complications.
A Broader Pattern of Extreme Weather
The impact of Ex-Typhoon Halong on Alaska was part of a larger pattern of extreme weather hitting the United States concurrently. While Alaska battled hurricane-force winds and storm surges, a relentless Nor’easter brought heavy rains and winds to the East Coast, causing coastal flooding and disruptions. Meanwhile, a system moving across California was expected to dump heavy rain on Southern California, bringing the risk of flash flooding, particularly to areas with recent burn scars, as reported by Yahoo News. This confluence of severe weather across disparate regions underscores a growing challenge for disaster preparedness nationwide.
The Road to Recovery
As the immediate danger subsided and conditions improved along the western coast, forecasters warned of another potential storm system bringing more coastal flooding to some of the same hard-hit communities from October 14-15, with water levels expected to peak at 1 to 2 feet above normal high tide. Governor Mike Dunleavy had already activated the state emergency operations plan, coordinating a statewide response to protect Alaskans and rebuild essential infrastructure. The long-term recovery will involve not only rebuilding homes and infrastructure but also addressing the profound social and economic impact on communities that rely heavily on traditional subsistence practices.
