ALASKA – Flights continued on a C-17 military transport plane Thursday, evacuating hundreds of residents of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, in western Alaska, after the devastation of ex-Typhoon Halong.
Evacuees sheltered overnight in Bethel on Wednesday after being airlifted from their coastal communities by the Alaska National Guard, each carrying just one suitcase and one bag of personal items.
Roughly 150 people stayed at an emergency shelter at the Alaska National Guard Readiness Center. Others stayed with family or friends or in accommodations arranged by the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation in Bethel.
On Thursday morning, evacuees lined up to board the second flight to Anchorage, landing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Emergency shelters have been set up at Alaska Airlines Center, the Egan Center, and city recreation centers at Spenard and Fairview.
An estimated 2,000 evacuees are expected in Anchorage by Friday, said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance.
Dolly Martin, 19, her mother and four siblings were headed to stay with family.
“My emotions are all over the place,” she said.
Another flight was scheduled for Thursday afternoon as new evacuees arrive from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.
Seventy-five people were expected to be picked up in Kwigillingok on Thursday. In Kipnuk, the evacuation is largely complete, said Lieutenant Colonel Brendan Holbrook, commander of the 207th Aviation Troop Command with the Alaska Army National Guard.
“Kipnuk is evacuated for everyone that wants to be evacuated. There are about 50 or 100 that stayed behind, that don’t want to come out,” Holbrook said, and estimates there are 200 to 300 people in Kwigillingok who are staying there.
The storm killed one woman in Kwigillingok, 67-year-old Ella Mae Kashatok, and left two family members missing, Vernon Pavil and Chester Kashatok. The local search and rescue effort is still ongoing, led by volunteers and village public safety officers with the Association of Village Council Presidents.
As damage continues to be assessed, emergency crews have dispatched to begin repairs on utilities and sewer systems, water, gas lines, roads, boardwalks, boats and structures. At least 15 communities have reported“substantial damage” across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region.
On Thursday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy submitted a formal request to the Trump administration for a Presidential Disaster Declaration asking Trump to declare a major disaster for Alaska, and provide support and federal aid to help with the recovery.
This article was first published by Alaska Beacon, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com.
Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com.
