At least one dead and two missing after remnants of Typhoon Halong flood western Alaska

At least one person was reported dead after remnants of Typhoon Halong triggered severe floods across Western Alaska.

The fatality was reported on Monday, after Alaska State Troopers (AST) found a woman’s body in the coastal village of Kwingilingok. The next of kin had been notified of the incident, and her body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Meanwhile, two more people remain unaccounted for.

The powerful coastal storm moved into the Bering Sea on Sunday, October 12, packing hurricane-force wind gusts, big waves, and major coastal flooding for the Kuskokwim Delta and communities south of the Bering Strait.

However, storm surges and heavy rain from another storm system have been ongoing since last week, creating a dire situation.

The storm slammed into villages and damaged key roads and regional airports along the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region

The powerful flooding has displaced over 1 400 people, prompting search and rescue operations by state and federal officials.

Displaced families are taking shelter at schools in Kwigillingok and Kipnuk as officials work to find more suitable shelter. 

According to the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Salvation Army, the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster(VOAD), and the Red Cross are working on a plan to distribute supplies and food to people displaced by the flooding.

As of Tuesday evening, local authorities have stopped the active search and rescue operations. Anyone who knows of any additional missing persons is urged to contact the State Emergency Operations Center at 907-428-7100 or Alaska State Troopers at 907-451-5100.

“After a robust and extensive search utilizing drones, boats, and aircraft, a joint decision was made with the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Army National Guard, and Alaska Air National Guard to end active search and rescue efforts at this time. Troopers launched an additional helicopter to the region from Fairbanks in support of ongoing response efforts and to assist with community needs. Additional resources may be deployed as needed,” said the AST.

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Rishav Kothari

Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

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