Alaska Governor Urges Trump for Federal Aid as Typhoon Disaster Leaves Thousands Homeless
The Alaska governor, Mike Dunleavy, has reached out to President Donald Trump seeking federal aid to alleviate the devastating impact of a powerful storm that displaced over 1,500 people and left thousands of homes destroyed in remote communities. The state's senators and congressman, Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Nick Begich, respectively, have also joined forces to urge the president to declare a major disaster.
Typhoon Halong made landfall in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta over the weekend, bringing with it fierce winds, rain, and record-breaking storm surge that flooded homes and displaced residents. At least one person was killed and two others remain missing. The state's emergency services were stretched to the limit, forcing the establishment of makeshift shelters to accommodate those in need.
The scale of the disaster has far surpassed Alaska's capacity to respond, prompting calls for urgent federal intervention. The request is aimed at securing additional resources to repair housing and utilities before winter sets in. Without immediate assistance, residents fear that many will be left vulnerable to future severe weather events.
The effects of the storm are still being assessed, but reports from affected communities paint a dire picture. Residents describe scenes reminiscent of an earthquake, with waves crashing into homes and buildings swaying violently. Entire villages have been rendered uninhabitable, with over 700 people in Kipnuk and three dozen homes destroyed in Kwigillingok.
Alaska Native communities, which are typically isolated by air or water, were particularly hard hit. In some areas, residents reported that their homes were floating on the surface of the floodwaters, forcing them to seek shelter elsewhere. The lack of basic services, including power and sanitation facilities, has made life even more challenging for those affected.
The state's experience with Typhoon Halong has also reignited concerns about funding cuts to grants aimed at helping small, Indigenous villages prepare for storms or mitigate disaster risks. Just last year, the Trump administration canceled a $20m grant intended to protect residents in Kipnuk and prevent similar devastation in the future.
As Alaskans continue to rally around those affected by the storm, there are hopes that federal aid will soon arrive to help restore damaged homes and communities. The governor's request for emergency assistance is seen as a vital step towards supporting the state's most vulnerable residents during this challenging time.
The Alaska governor, Mike Dunleavy, has reached out to President Donald Trump seeking federal aid to alleviate the devastating impact of a powerful storm that displaced over 1,500 people and left thousands of homes destroyed in remote communities. The state's senators and congressman, Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Nick Begich, respectively, have also joined forces to urge the president to declare a major disaster.
Typhoon Halong made landfall in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta over the weekend, bringing with it fierce winds, rain, and record-breaking storm surge that flooded homes and displaced residents. At least one person was killed and two others remain missing. The state's emergency services were stretched to the limit, forcing the establishment of makeshift shelters to accommodate those in need.
The scale of the disaster has far surpassed Alaska's capacity to respond, prompting calls for urgent federal intervention. The request is aimed at securing additional resources to repair housing and utilities before winter sets in. Without immediate assistance, residents fear that many will be left vulnerable to future severe weather events.
The effects of the storm are still being assessed, but reports from affected communities paint a dire picture. Residents describe scenes reminiscent of an earthquake, with waves crashing into homes and buildings swaying violently. Entire villages have been rendered uninhabitable, with over 700 people in Kipnuk and three dozen homes destroyed in Kwigillingok.
Alaska Native communities, which are typically isolated by air or water, were particularly hard hit. In some areas, residents reported that their homes were floating on the surface of the floodwaters, forcing them to seek shelter elsewhere. The lack of basic services, including power and sanitation facilities, has made life even more challenging for those affected.
The state's experience with Typhoon Halong has also reignited concerns about funding cuts to grants aimed at helping small, Indigenous villages prepare for storms or mitigate disaster risks. Just last year, the Trump administration canceled a $20m grant intended to protect residents in Kipnuk and prevent similar devastation in the future.
As Alaskans continue to rally around those affected by the storm, there are hopes that federal aid will soon arrive to help restore damaged homes and communities. The governor's request for emergency assistance is seen as a vital step towards supporting the state's most vulnerable residents during this challenging time.