Imagine this: A monstrous storm, packing winds like a hurricane, descends upon remote Alaskan villages, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. This is the reality faced by communities in western Alaska after a powerful storm, once known as Typhoon Halong, unleashed its fury, bringing with it violent wind gusts and a record-breaking storm surge.
Rescue operations are underway, with the immediate focus on locating missing residents and assisting those displaced by the devastating conditions. In Kwigillingok, at least 18 people have been rescued, but the search continues for three individuals still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, in Kipnuk, 16 people have been saved, and authorities are working to confirm reports of additional missing persons.
These villages, situated over 400 miles southwest of Anchorage, bore the brunt of the storm's wrath. The Alaska Department of Public Safety reported significant damage, including at least eight homes being torn from their foundations. The Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska Army National Guard, and the US Coast Guard are actively involved in the search and rescue efforts, working tirelessly to assist the affected communities.
The storm unleashed wind gusts exceeding 100 mph in western Alaska on Sunday, comparable to a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. Kusilvak experienced gusts of 107 mph, while Toksook Bay recorded winds of 100 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
But here's where it gets controversial... these ferocious winds drove a dangerous storm surge, inundating coastal areas with feet of water. Kipnuk saw water levels surge to 14.5 feet, more than 2 feet above the major flood stage and 1.5 feet higher than the previous record set in 2000. This catastrophic flooding has exacerbated the already dire situation.
Interestingly, this storm began as Typhoon Halong, a powerful tropical system that originated in the northern Philippine Sea. After skirting Japan without making landfall, it traversed the North Pacific Ocean. Although it was no longer tropical when it reached the Bering Sea, its strength remained undiminished.
The storm moved across northern Alaska late Sunday night and into the Arctic Sea early Monday, leaving behind a path of destruction. Governor Mike Dunleavy announced the expansion of a state disaster declaration to include the impacted areas, emphasizing the commitment to providing assistance to those affected. This initial declaration, issued on Thursday, addressed damage from another powerful coastal storm earlier in the week, highlighting the vulnerability of these communities.
And this is the part most people miss... Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan has been in constant communication with federal officials, including Acting FEMA Director David Richardson, and local and state authorities. FEMA is actively involved, with an incident management team en route to Alaska and a search-and-rescue group on standby. Senator Sullivan confirmed that the government shutdown is not impacting FEMA's response to this emergency.
What do you think about the impact of these storms on remote communities? Do you believe enough is being done to prepare for and mitigate the effects of extreme weather events in vulnerable areas? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
