More than 30 individuals were rescued and three persons are still missing in western Alaska as the aftermath of Typhoon Halong unleashed hurricane-force winds and significant flooding, severely impacting the coastal communities.
Rescue operations were deployed to the small Alaskan villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, where authorities reported potential missing persons, according to Jeremy Zidek, spokesperson for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
“We have received alarming reports of homes floating away, and concerns exist that some people may have been inside these homes,” Zidek informed The Associated Press.
Specifically, reports confirm that in Kwigillingok alone, at least 18 individuals have been rescued, while Alaska State Troopers indicated that three individuals remain unaccounted for. In Kipnuk, 16 individuals have been rescued with ongoing efforts to ascertain the number of those missing in collaboration with local officials. Search operations are expected to continue as weather conditions permit.
The nonprofit Coastal Villages Region Fund indicated that approximately 600 evacuees from Kipnuk are currently sheltered in a school building, while another 300 residents from Kwigillingok are taking refuge in a similar facility. This area is known for its remote and isolated nature, with limited transportation options such as boardwalks, boats, and snowmobiles being the primary means of mobility, as stated by Zidek.
Governor Mike Dunleavy assured, “We will make every effort to assist those affected by this storm. Assistance is on its way.”
The storm's impact is also felt beyond Alaska, as forecasts warned of significant coastal flooding along the East Coast, particularly from Virginia to New Jersey. The National Weather Service projected that flooding would peak on Monday afternoon, gradually improving into Tuesday.
As conditions worsened, emergency declarations were put into place across several states; New Jersey declared a state of emergency while emergency management officials in Delaware activated the National Guard to address rising floodwaters.
In North Carolina’s Outer Banks, authorities have noted significant storm damage, with reports of ocean overwash impacting roadways. Crews continue to work diligently to assess and clear affected routes.
