Alaskan Rescue Efforts Underway as Deadly Storm Ravages Communities

As of October 14, 2025, a severe storm system has wreaked havoc across parts of the United States, with the hardest-hit area being western Alaska. The remnants of Typhoon Halong brought hurricane-force winds and ravaging storm surges that swept away homes in the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.

In Alaska, authorities reported that one person was found dead and two remained unaccounted for in Kwigillingok. Over 50 people, along with two dogs, were rescued from the affected communities, with some being plucked from rooftops. The US Coast Guard described the situation as "absolute devastation," and officials warned of a long road to recovery for the hardest-hit areas as winter approaches.

The severe weather was not limited to Alaska. In New York City, a woman was killed when a solar panel was struck by the storm and fell on her. The city's Columbus Day parade was also canceled due to the inclement conditions. Elsewhere, rescuers in the Phoenix area found the body of a man whose truck was swept away by floodwaters, and crews in southern California prepared for potential mudslides in fire-ravaged areas.

The damage in Alaska is particularly concerning, as the affected communities rely on subsistence hunting and fishing to get through the harsh winter months. With power outages, a lack of running water, and damage to home-heating stoves, the residents face a difficult road ahead. Alaska's US senators have vowed to continue focusing on climate resilience and infrastructure funds to help these remote villages better withstand the increasing frequency and intensity of such storms.