Coastal villages inundated as powerful storm surge from Typhoon Halong remnants strikes Alaska
Rescue crews evacuated dozens of residents from the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta as the remnants of Typhoon Halong battered western Alaska on October 12, 2025 with winds over 160 km/h (100 mph) and record coastal flooding. Multiple villages, including Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, reported homes swept from foundations and severe infrastructure damage.
Remnants of Typhoon Halong trigger severe flooding in Alaska on October 12, 2025. Credit: Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
The extratropical remnants of Typhoon Halong impacted western Alaska on October 12, driving hurricane-force winds and a powerful storm surge into the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta.
Flooding from storm surge has been ongoing since last week. The Kotzebue Sound Tide Gauge surpassed major flood stage on Thursday, reaching 2.05 m (6.71 feet), more than 1.5 m (5 feet) above normal levels.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), gusts exceeded 160 km/h (100 mph) near the coast, while water levels rose about 2 m (6.6 feet) above mean higher high water — a record level for parts of the region.
This storm, described by the National Weather Service as potentially the strongest to strike Alaska’s west coast since Typhoon Merbok in 2022, has caused significant damage to multiple villages, including in Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, and Napakiak.
The coastal villages of Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, Kongiganak, and Toksook Bay were hit by severe flooding that caused widespread damage.
While over 30 people were reported missing earlier, many have been rescued, with only three people being unaccounted for as of 18:50 local time (LT) on October 12.
In Kipnuk, at least 16 people were rescued after rising water surrounded homes. In Kwigillingok, 18 were evacuated by helicopter after their houses were lifted from their foundations.
An unspecified number of people were also injured by flying debris amid the strong winds, according to a press release by the Association of Village Council Presidents.
Governor Mike Dunleavy issued an emergency disaster declaration and said that state and federal resources were being deployed to assist affected communities.
The American Red Cross said it is responding after the coastal storm caused damage in the villages of Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, Bethel, Kotzebue and Nome. The Coastal Villages Region Fund, an Alaskan nonprofit, is also responding to communities along the west coast.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Air National Guard, and Alaska State Troopers conducted coordinated rescue operations using helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
The storm surge inundated low-lying tundra and coastal structures, damaging roads, fuel depots, and airstrips. Satellite imagery and coastal surveys reported by local agencies and media showed extensive coastal erosion and sediment displacement along the Kuskokwim Bay shoreline.
Halong originated in the western Pacific Ocean in early October 2025 and reached typhoon strength before curving northeastward across the North Pacific.
After undergoing extratropical transition south of the Aleutians, the system retained a deep low-pressure core capable of producing hurricane-force winds as it moved into the Bering Sea.
Power restoration and debris-clearing operations were underway as of October 13, with State officials warning that continued high water and saturated ground could hinder recovery and delay shipments of fuel and supplies to isolated villages.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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