Halong remnants hit western Alaska, displacing 1,500 residents

Remnants of Typhoon Halong slammed into western Alaska over the weekend, inundating coastal communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, destroying scores of homes and prompting one of the largest airlifts in the state’s history to evacuate residents to Bethel and Anchorage. The storm, which struck Oct. 12, sent storm surge and high surf into low-lying Alaska Native villages, displacing more than 1,500 people; officials said at least one person has died and two were reported missing as search and rescue operations continued.

Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were among the hardest hit. Initial assessments cited by the governor’s office found roughly 121 homes — about 90 percent of Kipnuk’s housing stock — destroyed. In Kwigillingok, roughly three dozen homes floated off their foundations. National Guard and Coast Guard aircraft and helicopters evacuated hundreds, moving many first to Bethel and then by military transport planes to Anchorage. State officials said shelters near the impacted communities reached capacity and that officials were working to transition evacuees from congregate shelters into hotel rooms or dormitories.

Conditions at makeshift shelters were difficult, with reports of...