Heavy rain and hurricane-force wind gusts are causing damaging flooding in Western Alaska on Sunday, prompting dozens of rescues as the remnants of Typhoon Halong continue to impact coastal areas.
A powerful coastal storm produced by the remnants of Typhoon Halong moved into the Bering Sea on Sunday, packing hurricane-force wind gusts, big waves and major coastal flooding for the Kuskokwim Delta and communities south of the Bering Strait.
According to Alaska State Troopers, more than 30 people were rescued in Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities over the weekend, and three people are unaccounted for amid the flooding. At least 18 people were rescued in Kwigillingok, and at least 16 people were rescued in Kipnuk, troopers said.
The search and rescue effort was coordinated by the Alaska State Troopers, with the Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska Army National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard.
Photos shared by the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management show dozens of homes surrounded by flooding.
Flooding from storm surge has been ongoing since last week. The Kotzebue Sound Tide Gauge surpassed major flood stage on Thursday, reaching 6.71 feet, more than 5 feet above normal levels.
Alaska’s State Emergency Operations Center was activated after storm surge led to widespread flooding.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy expanded the state disaster declaration on Sunday to include Yupitt, Pribilof Island and Lower Kuskokwim Regional Education Attendance Areas.
ALASKA SEES FIRST WIDESPREAD SNOW OF THE WINTER SEASON
The American Red Cross said it is responding after the coastal storm caused damage in the villages of Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, Bethel, Kotzebue and Nome. The Coastal Villages Region Fund, an Alaskan nonprofit, is also responding to communities along the west coast.
The storm prompted High Wind Warnings for the Nunivak Island and Kuskokwim Delta Coast, where winds between 70 and 90 mph are forecast. For interior Kuskokwim Delta, winds up to 75 mph are possible.
Parts of Western Alaska have faced 60 mph sustained winds with a recorded 100 mph gust on Sunday.
This powerful storm is forecast to continue to cause flooding into Monday. The Kuskokwim River remains under a Flood Advisory through Monday morning.