Hundreds of rural Alaska villagers have been flown to a massive shelter in downtown Anchorage after suffering from massive destruction by Typhoon Halong last week.

The powerful tropical storm brought hurricane-force winds and historic flood waters that have devastated multiple villages in Western Alaska’s Y-K Delta. An estimated 2,000-plus people have been displaced, some watching their homes literally floating away. Floodwaters swept through entire villages, with some locations seeing surges up to 10 feet above normal tide levels.

The first wave of storm victims arrived by plan in Anchorage on Oct. 15, with more on the way. They are being sheltered at the Alaska Airlines Center on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus.

“This may be the largest airlift of Alaskans following a disaster in the state’s history,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy noted on his Facebook page. “I want to thank all of those assisting with the rescue and recovery of our fellow Alaskans impacted by this disaster. I want to thank our military, especially the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force, Alaska Naval Militia, and the University of Alaska, the City of Bethel, the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska’s tribal health consortiums, the American Red Cross, and so many more that are assisting with relief and recovery.”

Dunleavy said he has been in direct communication with President Trump regarding the disaster.

“He asked me to convey to the people of Alaska, especially those impacted by the storm, that he is monitoring the situation and the federal government will be there to help,” Dunleavy said.

According to the American Red Cross, which helping affected villagers, there could be as many as 2,000 people who need evacuation.

“Homes have been flooded, pushed off their foundations and, in some cases, swept entirely out to sea,” American Red Cross website notes. “The typhoon’s remnants also damaged critical infrastructure including roads, communication lines and air and seaport facilities.”

Historically, tropical storms like Typhoon Halong have generated naturally for millions of years, caused by warm ocean waters, low wind speed, and atmospheric instability – all common conditions in the western Pacific region. Halong’s origin in the Northern Philippine Sea initially traveled along a typical path, but then unexpectedly shifted course between St. Lawrence Island and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. This resulted in the record storm surge and resulting devastation.

Hundreds of Red Cross disaster workers from across the country are being deployed to support local residents.

“This could be a prolonged relief operation lasting months as villages have been left inaccessible or unlivable as winter sets in,” the organization explained. “In Anchorage, Red Cross volunteers and partners are preparing to shelter, feed and support those forced out of the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, among others.”

With winter approaching many villages are without power or running water, and winter food stores have been ruined.

TAKING ACTION

— To learn about how to help the victims of Typhoon Halong, click here.