Alaska storm: 1 dead, 2 missing after mass rescues in Kipnuk, Kwigillingok
Remnants of Typhoon Halong battered western Alaska, flooding the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok and prompting mass rescues — at least 51 people and two dogs were pulled to safety and roughly 600 people sheltered in Kipnuk and 300 in Kwigillingok after many were evacuated from rooftops as homes reportedly “floated away.” Alaska State Troopers confirmed one woman was found dead in Kwigillingok and two people remain unaccounted for as overnight searches continued with helicopter support and delivery of generators and fuel, while Gov. Mike Dunleavy and U.S. senators urged rapid assistance and investment in resilience.
Climate
Public Safety
📌 Key Facts
- Remnants of Typhoon Halong struck western Alaska communities including Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, causing widespread flooding and damage.
- At least 51 people and two dogs were rescued from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, with some rescues conducted from rooftops; U.S. Coast Guard personnel described the areas as showing “absolute devastation.”
- Initial reports said more than 30 people had been rescued and three people were unaccounted for; later updates confirmed a woman found dead in Kwigillingok and two people there remain missing, while earlier secondhand reports of missing persons in Kipnuk were resolved.
- Schools in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were used as shelters, housing about 600 people in Kipnuk and about 300 in Kwigillingok.
- Alaska DHS&EM and troopers reported homes were swept away or “floated away,” and search-and-rescue operations continued overnight as officials worked to establish exact missing-person counts.
- A helicopter was deployed from Fairbanks to support searches and to deliver generators and fuel to the affected communities.
- Gov. Mike Dunleavy said “every effort will be made to help those hit by this storm” and that assistance is on the way.
- Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan urged increased climate-resilience and infrastructure funding in response to the storm and noted concerns about FEMA’s prior decision to end a disaster-mitigation program that is now being challenged in court.
📰 Sources (5)
1 dead, 2 missing after severe Alaska flooding; "absolute devastation"
New information:
- Alaska State Troopers confirmed a woman was found dead in Kwigillingok; two people there remain unaccounted for.
- Earlier secondhand reports of missing persons in Kipnuk were resolved; troopers later determined no one there was missing.
- At least 51 people and two dogs were rescued in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, with some rescues from rooftops; a U.S. Coast Guard captain described 'absolute devastation.'
- Troopers deployed a helicopter from Fairbanks to support searches and deliver generators and fuel.
- Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan said they are pushing climate-resilience and infrastructure funds and noted FEMA’s earlier move to end a disaster‑mitigation program that is now being challenged in court.
Photos: Powerful storm pummels U.S. East Coast
New information:
- Alaska State Troopers said at least 51 people and two dogs have been rescued from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.
- Search-and-rescue efforts continued overnight; three people remain unaccounted for in Kwigillingok.
Dozens rescued as remnants of typhoon hits Alaska while nor’easter brings flooding to East Coast
New information:
- State official Jeremy Zidek is quoted saying homes 'floated away' and people may have been inside.
- Troopers noted secondhand reports of unaccounted people in Kipnuk and are working with local officials to establish the missing count.
- Gov. Mike Dunleavy stated, 'Every effort will be made to help those hit by this storm. Help is on the way.'
Dozens rescued as typhoon remnants hit Alaska; nor'easter brings floods to East Coast
New information:
- Authorities report more than 30 rescues in western Alaska after Typhoon Halong remnants; 3 people remain unaccounted for.
- At least 18 rescued in Kwigillingok and 16 in Kipnuk; shelters house ~600 people in Kipnuk and ~300 in Kwigillingok schools.
- Alaska DHS&EM spokesperson Jeremy Zidek says homes floated away with people possibly inside; search operations continue overnight.
- Gov. Mike Dunleavy: “Every effort will be made to help those hit by this storm. Help is on the way.”