Western Alaska is under siege—hurricane-force winds and catastrophic flooding have turned communities into disaster zones, with rescue teams racing against time to save trapped residents. But here’s the shocking truth: this isn’t just another storm. It’s the lingering fury of Typhoon Halong, a relentless force that has reshaped Alaska’s coastline and left devastation in its wake.
As the remnants of Typhoon Halong (https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/09/typhoon-halong-remnants-storm-united-states-west-coast-california/) surged into the Bering Sea on Sunday, they unleashed a nightmare scenario—hurricane-strength winds, towering waves, and unprecedented coastal flooding. The hardest-hit areas? The Kuskokwim Delta and communities south of the Bering Strait, where rising waters have swallowed homes and stranded residents. (RELATED: Vehicles Swept Away In New Mexico Flash Flooding As Southwest Braces For Another Pounding Of Tropical Rainfall) (https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/12/vehicles-swept-away-flash-flooding-new-mexico-southwest-tropical-rain/)
And this is the part most people miss: the flooding isn’t slowing down. According to Alaska Public Media (https://alaskapublic.org/news/public-safety/2025-10-12/live-updates-a-major-storm-is-bringing-dangerous-flooding-and-hurricane-force-winds-to-western-alaska), entire families in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta are either missing or trapped inside their homes, surrounded by dangerously high water levels. Imagine waking up to your house becoming an island—this is the reality for Alaskans right now.
For days, storm surges have been pushing water levels to terrifying heights. The Kotzebue Sound Tide Gauge recorded a staggering 6.71 feet—over five feet above normal—triggering a major flood stage by Thursday, as reported by FOX Weather (https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/western-alaska-typhoon-halong-flooding-100-mph-winds).
But here’s where it gets controversial: Some argue that climate change is amplifying these disasters, while others insist it’s just natural variability. What do you think? Could better infrastructure have mitigated this crisis, or are these storms simply unstoppable?
The damage spans across Western Alaska, from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok to Kongiganak, with Congressman Nick Begich (https://twitter.com/RepNickBegich/status/1977502875535413486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) calling the destruction "wide-ranging" and pledging federal assistance. But promises won’t drain the floodwaters—action will.
Alaska’s State Emergency Operations Center has been activated (https://www.facebook.com/readyalaska/posts/state-emergency-operation-center-activated-for-west-coast-stormjoint-base-elmend/1250515640447678/), and the U.S. Coast Guard has deployed teams to Kwigillingok and Kipnuk for search and rescue missions. The American Red Cross is also on the ground, aiding battered villages like Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, Kotzebue, Nome, and Bethel.
In a critical move, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (https://x.com/GovDunleavy/status/1977485699927715958) expanded the state’s disaster declaration on Sunday to include the Pribilof Islands, Yup’ik regions, and the Lower Kuskokwim Educational Attendance Area. But is this enough? Critics argue that disaster response has been reactive, not proactive. Should governments invest more in pre-storm preparations?
The National Weather Service (https://www.weather.gov/) confirms sustained winds of 60 mph, with gusts hitting 100 mph on Sunday—enough to rip roofs off buildings and uproot trees. And the worst isn’t over: the NWS warns that flooding will persist through Monday, with a Flood Advisory remaining active for the Kuskokwim River into the morning.
Now, we turn to you: How should Alaska—and the nation—prepare for the next superstorm? Are we doing enough to protect vulnerable communities, or is this a wake-up call for drastic change? Share your thoughts below—agree or disagree, the conversation starts with you.
