Severe Storm Devastates Alaska Villages: Evacuation, Displacement and Recovery
Severe Storm Devastates Alaska Villages
Recent flooding in remote Alaska, triggered by the remnants of Typhoon Halong, has caused catastrophic damage, forcing the evacuation of over 2,000 residents. Governor Mike Dunleavy described the storm’s impact as comparable to a Category 2 hurricane, with entire communities submerged and homes destroyed. In Kipnuk, approximately 90% of houses were wrecked, while Kwigillingok saw a third of its homes swept away by floodwaters.
Long-Term Displacement Expected
The extent of destruction means many evacuees face displacement for at least 18 months. Rescue operations included airlifting residents to Anchorage, where shelters have been set up. The state has requested a major disaster declaration from the White House to aid recovery efforts. With critical infrastructure damaged, rebuilding will be a prolonged and complex process.
Human and Community Impact
Besides material losses, the storm resulted in one confirmed death and two missing persons. The crisis underscores the vulnerability of Alaska's low-lying Native villages to extreme weather and raises urgent questions about future preparedness and support for affected populations.
About the People Mentioned
Mike Dunleavy
Mike Dunleavy is the 12th and current Governor of Alaska, serving since December 2018. Born on May 5, 1961, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Dunleavy moved to Alaska in 1983 seeking opportunity, initially working in a Southeast Alaska logging camp before pursuing a career in education[2][3]. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Misericordia University in Pennsylvania and a Master of Education from the University of Alaska Fairbanks[3][5]. For nearly two decades, Dunleavy worked as a teacher, principal, and superintendent in northwest Arctic communities, deeply embedding himself in Alaska’s rural and urban educational systems[1][2]. In 2004, Dunleavy and his family moved to Wasilla, where he founded an educational consulting firm and engaged in statewide education projects. He served on the Mat-Su Borough School Board, including two years as president, and later represented District E in the Alaska State Senate from 2013 to 2018[1][4]. As a state senator, Dunleavy was known for his focus on education and fiscal policy. Dunleavy was first elected governor in 2018 as a Republican and won re-election in 2022, becoming the first Republican governor in Alaska to secure a second term since 1978[1][2]. His tenure began amid significant challenges, including a major earthquake in Southcentral Alaska and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout his administration, Dunleavy has prioritized economic health and job growth, advocating for Alaska’s business community and seeking to attract new investment[1][2][6]. He has also emphasized restoring trust in government and maximizing Alaska’s resource potential. Dunleavy is married to Rose, who is from the Kobuk River Valley community of Noorvik, and they have three daughters. The family is known for enjoying outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and camping[1][2]. Recently, Dunleavy has continued to focus on state preparedness, economic development, and commemorating significant Alaskan figures, such as mourning the passing of former Representative Brenda Itta-Lee, the first Alaska Native woman to serve in the state House[6]. As of late 2025, Dunleavy remains a central figure in Alaska politics, actively shaping policy and responding to both ongoing and emerging state challenges[6].
About the Organizations Mentioned
White House
The **White House Office** is a central organizational component within the Executive Office of the President of the United States (EOP), tasked with supporting the President in managing day-to-day operations, policy formulation, and political affairs. It is headed by the White House Chief of Staff and staffed by senior aides who report directly to the President, including those with titles such as Assistant to the President and Deputy Assistant to the President. These staff members are mostly political appointees without the need for Senate confirmation, allowing the President considerable discretion in shaping the office to suit each administration's priorities[1]. Historically, the White House Office was established in 1939 through Reorganization Plan 1 and Executive Order 8248 to provide immediate assistance to the President. It functions as the nerve center for presidential staff, physically located primarily in the West Wing, and plays a pivotal role in managing the President’s policy agenda, communications, and political strategy. Its flexible organization allows each President to tailor the staff composition and roles according to their governance style and objectives[1]. In the current context of 2025, the White House Office operates under the administration of President Donald J. Trump, who returned to office after the 2024 election. His administration emphasizes rejecting prior policies deemed extremist and focuses on enhancing quality of life, economic growth, and American energy dominance. The administration includes Vice President JD Vance and First Lady Melania Trump, among others, with a Cabinet advising on various governmental functions[4][6]. Recent initiatives linked to the White House’s operational sphere include the establishment of a new **Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)** aimed at modernizing federal technology and software to boost government productivity. The DOGE agenda is implemented through the renamed United States DOGE Service within the Executive Office, reflecting a concerted push to leverage technology for administrative modernization[5]. Notably, the White House Office also coordinates national security and homeland security functions through the National Security Council staff, underscoring its central role
