Relief and recovery efforts in the wake of Western Alaska disaster

In the wake of brutal, hurricane-force wind gusts from what once was Typhoon Halong, residents in Western Alaska are beginning the long process of rebuilding after winds tore through remote, coastal communities, while a record-breaking storm surge moved homes completely off their foundations, cutting off access to clean water, power, medical care, displacing thousands of Alaskans.

Now, the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC), Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Troopers, US Coast Guard, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Department of Natural Resources, FEMA, Salvation Army Alaska Division, American Red Cross of Alaska, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP), Civil Air Patrol, the National Weather Service, and multiple other state, volunteer, and faith-based agencies are engaged in a full inter-agency disaster response.

“We’ve got to take care of people quickly. We have to take care of their needs quickly,” Governor Mike Dunleavy said during a press conference on October 12. “We have to take care of water, food, sanitation, electricity.”

Currently, 49 communities are reporting impacts, and 1,400 residents are sheltering in 12 shelters. Communities and individuals in these areas are now eligible for State Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs.

One adult female was located deceased in Kwigillngok. Troopers responded to recover her remains and are working to notify next of kin and will be released once they have been notified. As of this publication, two people remain unaccounted for in the community. Search and rescue operations were carried out on October 12th, 2025, by the Alaska National Guard (ANG), AST, and the US Coast Guard (USCG), rescuing a total of 51 people from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.

The SEOC currently has emergency management specialists deployed to Bethel, and Kotzebue to coordinate state disaster response in each region. The ANG has deployed additional guard members to the response area and four Alaska Organized Militia to the SEOC to provide additional assistance and coordination as needed.

The head of the Alaska National Guard, Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, said every member of the state’s National Guard and Alaska State Defense Force living in Western Alaska, totaling 60 to 80 people, has been activated, adding that state officials are also calling up more personnel largely from Fairbanks and Anchorage.

“This may end up being the largest off-the-road-system response for the National Guard in about 45 years,” Saxe said during the press conference.

SEOC has resources ordered from the Alaska Organized Milita including the ANG, Alaska State Defense Force, and Alaska Naval Militia to assist in disaster response with airlift capabilities and additional manpower.

“We're coming,” said State Emergency Operations Center head Mark Roberts. “We're going to have folks there to help you.”

Dozens of nonprofit organizations, businesses and faith-based groups, including the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse and World Central Kitchen, are also coordinating recovery efforts with the state. The Salvation Army is sending food, blankets, and other sheltering needs to the hub communities for distribution to the impacted communities.

The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) has sent MREs, water, and healthcare providers and nurses to the sheltering communities for patient evaluations.

In Kipnuk, communications have been impacted, and satellite internet is being deployed to reestablish consistent communications. The runway had been damaged and is closed to fixed wing transport, but the Alaska Department of Transportation did announce that sufficient repairs have been made and it is now open.

The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be accepting applications for the State Individual Assistance and Temporary Housing programs for survivors with damages or emergency expenses in the Kashunamiut, Lower Yukon, Yupitt, Pribilof Islands, Lower-Kuskokwim, and Bering Strait REAAs and the Northwest Arctic and North Slope Boroughs related to the 2025 October West Coast Storm Disaster.

There are several ways people can help out their neighbors to the west.

In addition to supplies being collected in Palmer, the folks at MY House in Wasilla will be offering clothing vouchers to the REDEMPTION Boutique for anyone displace and evacuated to Southcentral Alaska. Additionally, people between the ages of 18-25 who have been evacuated can reach out to their office for a referral for their services. (907) 373-4357, or email at info@myhousematsu.org.

The AVCP, in conjunction with Bethel Community Services Foundation, the First Alaskans Institute, Alaska Native Heritage Center, and others have formed the Western Alaska Disaster Relief 2025 Fund to provide emergency food, water, medical aid, supporting search and rescue operations, and long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“Entire villages like Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, and Napakiak are in urgent need of rescue, shelter, and supplies.”

At the request of the State of Alaska, the American Red Cross of Alaska is standing up a shelter in Anchorage for residents displaced by the recent storms in western Alaska. Residents currently at the shelter in Bethel who evacuated from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok will be relocated to the shelter location in Anchorage. The Red Cross is anticipating sheltering around 300 residents in the immediate future. At this shelter location, residents will receive a safe place to stay, food, emergency relief supplies, emotional support, and health services.

The Red Cross is partnering with other local agencies to provide wrap-around support for these residents in need. Disaster volunteers from across the state and the Lower 48 will be assisting with this disaster relief operation.

In a press release, the Red Cross acknowledged that many are eager to donate and do everything they can to help after a disaster, but is asking for as the quickest and best way to help those who need it most. “Donations of items divert resources away from our mission — whereas financial donations can be used right away to directly help those affected. When possible, the Red Cross partners with organizations that manage donations of goods. Please check with other local organizations to see if donated goods are needed before collecting or dropping off donations of clothing or household items.”

In all cases, due to health code regulations, the Red Cross cannot accept donations of home-cooked meals or food items not prepared in a commercial kitchen.

The Red Cross is asking for support as they provide assistance, by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief at www.redcross.org or by calling 1- 800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).