Storm Surge Devastates Western Alaska Villages | JQJO

An immense storm surge from Typhoon Halong’s remnants battered western Alaska’s coastal villages, floating houses and pushing water more than six feet above normal tides. In Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, 121 homes were destroyed and three dozen more drifted away; one person is dead and two are missing. More than 1,000 residents were airlifted to Bethel and Anchorage on military planes as shelters swelled to about 1,500 people. Officials called it one of Alaska’s largest disasters. Gov. Mike Dunleavy requested a federal disaster declaration. Amid fuel spills and lost winter food stores, evacuees shared cots, gratitude, and resolve.