Alaskan Coastal Villages Devastated by Typhoon Remnants, Hundreds Evacuated

On October 17, 2025, a massive airlift operation is underway in Alaska to evacuate hundreds of people from coastal villages that were devastated by the remnants of Typhoon Halong last weekend. The storm brought record water levels to two low-lying communities, washing away homes and leaving some with people still inside.

Authorities report that one person has been rescued, but two remain missing after a home was washed out to sea. The remoteness of the affected areas and the scale of the destruction have created significant challenges for getting resources in place and assessing the full extent of the damage.

The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is leading the response efforts, with the Alaska National Guard and State Troopers conducting search and rescue operations over the weekend. Evacuees are being transported to Anchorage, about 500 miles east of the battered coastline, where a temporary shelter has been set up.

Emergency management officials say that some homes cannot be reoccupied, even with repairs, and others may not be livable by the approaching winter. With the potential for rain and snow this weekend and temperatures soon dropping below freezing, the focus is on ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected while working to restore essential services.

The crisis in southwest Alaska has drawn attention to the impact of climate change on remote, predominantly Indigenous communities, with the Trump administration's cuts to grants aimed at helping these villages prepare for and mitigate disaster risks being criticized. As the long-term recovery efforts begin, authorities acknowledge that this will be a challenging situation that will require sustained support for the affected communities.