A Massive Airlift: Rescuing Alaska's Storm-Stricken Villages
In a dramatic response to the devastating impact of Typhoon Halong, Alaska is launching one of its most ambitious airlifts to date. The mission aims to evacuate hundreds of residents from coastal villages on the state's southwest coast, which were inundated by the storm's relentless fury. This crisis has brought to light the dire consequences of recent federal grant cuts, particularly affecting small, Indigenous communities vulnerable to natural disasters.
The storm's wrath was relentless, sweeping away homes and leaving 1,500 residents in dire need of shelter. Two villages were identified as requiring full-scale evacuation, a decision made by authorities as the situation unfolded. Tragically, one life was lost, and two individuals remain missing, a stark reminder of the storm's devastating impact.
This crisis has sparked a debate about the Trump administration's cuts to federal grants, which were intended to help small, Indigenous villages prepare for and mitigate the risks of storms. For instance, a $20 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Kipnuk, a village devastated by floodwaters, was terminated, a move met with criticism from environmental groups. The communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok had previously requested the state to evacuate residents, highlighting the urgent need for action.
The state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is coordinating the airlift, bringing approximately 300 evacuees to Anchorage, hundreds of miles away from the affected communities. The exact locations of these evacuees remain undisclosed, as some residents may choose to stay behind or with family members. This massive operation underscores the state's commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens in the face of such catastrophic events.
