Halong

Overview

On October 12, 2025, ex-Typhoon Halong rapidly headed northeast and brought damaging winds and coastal flooding to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region of Western Alaska. The region experienced the worst flooding in living memory, with 49 communities reporting damage and an estimated 1,600 people displaced. 471 homes were severely damaged and 208 completely destroyed. Nearly all residents of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok and some from Nightmute and Tuntutuliak evacuated to Bethel, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and other communities due to the damage. The timeline for rebuilding and return to Kipnuk and Kwigillingok is uncertain, with relocation a preferred option for some community members.

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Halong: an unusual track

Ex-Typhoon Halong took a rare eastward track between St. Lawrence Island and the Yukon Delta, exposing the Western coast to extremely high winds and storm surge.  Only one other Bering Sea fall storm this strong took such a  route since 1950. 

• Oct. 4, 9:00 p.m. AKDT: Typhoon Halong forms

  

• Oct. 7, 4:00 p.m. AKDT: 936 mb, Typhoon Halong peaks in intensity near Japan

  

• Oct. 10, 4:00 a.m. AKDT: 978 mb, Halong transitions to extratropical storm denoted by “ex”

  

• Oct. 11, 4:00 a.m. AKDT: 978 mb, ex-Halong moves northeast and expands dramatically in size

  

• Oct. 11, 10:00 a.m. AKDT: 977 mb, ex-Halong crosses into the Bering Sea

  

• Oct. 11, 10:00 p.m. AKDT: 964 mb, ex-Halong increases in intensity and moves northeast

  

• Oct. 12, 4:00 a.m. AKDT: 960 mb, ex-Halong peaks in intensity

  

• Oct. 12, 10:00 a.m. AKDT: 964 mb, ex-Halong weakens rapidly over Norton Sound

  

Disaster Declared

• 
  Oct. 9, 2025: Governor Dunleavy declares state disaster emergency

• 
  Oct. 23 President Trump approves federal disaster declaration

FEMA has earmarked $30.2 million in individual assistance and $4.5 million in public assistance (as of Jan. 20, 2026) to aid in recovery (2025 dollars)

Community Specific Impacts

Kipnuk:

Estimated population: 704

Estimated 90% of the village destroyed, major flooding, estimated 8.07 ft above MHHW*, 79mph peak wind gusts, over 700 people sought emergency shelter, many homes swept off their foundations, power outages, cemetery destroyed, winter food stocks washed away, communications & runway damaged. On Oct. 15, the village almost entirely evacuated with no timeline for return. 

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“Kipnuk’s not Kipnuk anymore” said a resident in an Alaska Public Media article

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Kwigilligok:

Estimated population: 380

One confirmed death, two individuals remain missing, major flooding, estimated 7.46 ft above MHHW*, over 400 people sheltered overnight, every home damaged and 36 drifted off foundations, 24 people rescued from swept away homes, cemetery disturbed, power outages spoiled winter food stocks. On Oct. 15, the village was almost entirely evacuated with no timeline for return. Residents had previously voted to relocate the community due to frequent flooding and resulting problems.  

Bethel & surroundings

Wind destroyed roofs and caused minor flooding, resources stretched as evacuees settled in Bethel, 10 homes water damaged in Napaskiak

Napakiak: major flooding, 19 houses shifted off their foundations, others inundated with flood water, a dozen people unable to return to their homes

Tuntutuliak: major flooding, local rescue efforts helped at least 70 reach local school, a dozen homes knocked from their foundation, many houses damaged beyond livability, 26 people evacuated, damage to winter food stocks, steam baths, and boardwalks

Quinhagak: 60 feet of erosion, damage to 10 homes, fish camps and subsistence gear washed away, damaged water line, extensive damage to Nunalleq, a 16th century Yup’ik archeological site

Kongiganak: major flooding, several homes damaged, severe damage to boardwalks, water plant out of service

Nelson Island & Surroundings

Nightmute: severe erosion, over a dozen homes lifted off foundations and 19 people evacuated, submerged boardwalks, damaged fuel drums created fuel scent and sheen in water, majority of homes damaged in subsistence camp of Umkumiut (which provides 75% of subsistence foods to Nightmute)

Chefornak: flooding and submerged boardwalks 

Toksook Bay: severe erosion, saltwater intrusions, and damage to fish stocks

Chevak: severe damage to subsistence sheds, boats, gear, and tools, gasoline spillages, three day power outages on western side of town destroyed food stocks

Norton Sound

High winds caused the most damage rather than flooding. Power outages in Elim, wind damage to homes and sheds and evacuations from Shaktoolik to Unalakleet, wind damage in Unalakleet and St. Michael, wind damage and power outages in Stebbins where some evacuated to St. Michael

Winds, Floods, and Relocation

Winds

Halong brought over 50 mph sustained winds* to the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta region, with 100 mph peak gusts* observed in Toksook Bay and 79 mph peak gusts observed at Kipnuk before the power went out. Even inland areas like Bethel saw 77 mph peak gusts.

Water Levels

Halong brought major flooding to both Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.*

Definitions

*Sustained winds refer to wind speed determined by averaging observed values over a two-minute period

*Peak gusts refer to maximum instantaneous wind speed since the last observation that exceeded 25 knots (~29 mph) 

*MHHW is equivalent to “above the daily highest high tide line”

Relocation Dialogues

The Y-K Delta region experiences floods every fall, but Halong was a turning point for many residents of both Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, some of which have expressed fear of returning to their homes and a desire to relocate to higher ground. However, there is nowhere to go since the entire Y-K Delta region is extremely low lying, with the highest point near Kwigillingok just 3 feet above sea level and most of the region within 1.6 feet of the average high tide line (MHHW*). Essentially, there is nowhere to go. Newtok began relocating in the mid 1990s, but the process has taken decades and over $160 million. All federal aid has been designated for rebuilding rather than relocation.  

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References

4893 | FEMA.gov. (2026, April 16). https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4893

Alaska’s News Source. (2025, October 13). ‘This latest storm didn’t give a damn’: People in Napakiak explain damage, evacuating through win… [Video recording]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmohqCtXUDE

Anguiano, D. (2025, October 15). More than 1,500 people displaced after typhoon remnants devastate Alaska villages. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/15/alaska-typhoon-halong-aftermath

Boots, M. T. (n.d.). At least 15 Yukon-Kuskokwim region villages suffered ‘substantial damage’ in storm. Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved April 16, 2026, from https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/rural-alaska/2025/10/16/at-least-15-yukon-kuskokwim-region-villages-suffered-substantial-damage-in-storm/

Clark, M. (2025, November 8). Governor extends disaster declaration for Halong’s impacts. Https://Www.Alaskasnewssource.Com. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/11/08/governor-extends-disaster-declaration-halongs-impacts/

Erickson, E. (2025a, October 18). ‘It looks like a bomb hit.’ Ex-typhoon Halong peels back as much as 60 feet from Quinhagak’s shoreline. KYUK. https://www.kyuk.org/public-safety/2025-10-18/it-looks-like-a-bomb-hit-ex-typhoon-halong-peels-back-nearly-60-feet-from-quinhagaks-shoreline

Erickson, E. (2025b, October 21). Halong takes heavy toll on Nightmute and seasonal camp at the heart of Nelson Island life. KYUK. https://www.kyuk.org/public-safety/2025-10-21/halong-takes-heavy-toll-on-nightmute-and-seasonal-camp-at-the-heart-of-nelson-island-life

Erickson, E. (2025c, October 21). Halong takes heavy toll on Nightmute and seasonal camp at the heart of Nelson Island life. KYUK. https://www.kyuk.org/public-safety/2025-10-21/halong-takes-heavy-toll-on-nightmute-and-seasonal-camp-at-the-heart-of-nelson-island-life

Erickson, E. (2025d, October 25). Tuntutuliak brings more stories of courage and compassion in the wake of Halong. KYUK. https://www.kyuk.org/public-safety/2025-10-25/tuntutuliak-brings-more-stories-of-courage-and-compassion-in-the-wake-of-halong

Forestry, A. D. of, & Protection, F. (2025, October 29). Napaskiak Community Gathers to Discuss Recovery Efforts After Typhoon Halong Damage. Alaska Wildland Fire Information. https://akfireinfo.com/2025/10/29/napaskiak-community-gathers-to-discuss-recovery-efforts-after-typhoon-halong-damage/

Haecker, D. and Crockett O’Harra, A. (2025, October 15).Ex-typhoon Halong spares Nome, Norton Sound and Bering Strait from worst. The Nome Nugget. https://www.nomenugget.com/news/ex-typhoon-halong-spares-nome-norton-sound-and-bering-strait-worst

Jorgenson, T., & Ely, C. R. (2001). Topography and flooding of coastal ecosystems on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska: Implications for sea level rise. Journal of Coastal Research, 17(1), 124–136.

McDonnell, A. (2025, October 29). ‘It took a typhoon for them to listen’: Kwigillingok community wants village to be moved, federal representatives push for repairs. Https://Www.Alaskasnewssource.Com. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/10/29/it-took-typhoon-them-listen-kwigillingok-community-wants-village-be-moved-federal-representatives-push-repairs/

Media, A. P., & Media, E. S., special to Alaska Public. (2022, September 23). Chevak stunned by food losses after Western Alaska storm: “We’re gonna have to start over.” KTOO. https://www.ktoo.org/2022/09/23/chevak-subsistence-losses-merbok/

Naiden, A. (2025, November 17). One month after Halong, here’s what rebuilding looks like in six Y-K Delta communities. Alaska Public Media. https://alaskapublic.org/news/public-safety/2025-11-17/one-month-after-halong-heres-what-rebuilding-looks-like-in-six-y-k-delta-communities

President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Alaska | FEMA.gov. (2025, October 23). https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20251023/president-donald-j-trump-approves-major-disaster-declaration-alaska

Rosen, Y. (2025, November 3). Alaska typhoon victims’ losses of traditional foods go beyond dollar values. Alaska Beacon. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/11/03/alaska-typhoon-victims-losses-of-traditional-foods-go-beyond-dollar-values/

Smith, C. (2025, December 15). Disaster aid deadlines extended into 2026 for those affected by Western Alaska storms. Alaska Beacon. Retrieved April 16, 2026, from https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/disaster-aid-deadlines-extended-into-2026-for-those-affected-by-western-alaska-storms/Zidek, J. (2025, October 13). SEOC Update: 2025 October West Coast Storm – Situation Update.