"Absolute devastation... worst-case scenario" - words chosen no doubt carefully by the Coast Guard's Arctic commanding officer in today's briefing on the impacts of ex-Typhoon Halong.
The hardest-hit locations turned out to be on the south side of the Y-K delta, between the Kuskokwim estuary and Nunivak Island. This is where the storm roared ashore in the early hours of yesterday morning, the extreme winds directed perpendicular to the shallow, low-lying coast. Here's the GFS analysis from 3am.
Here are reported maximum wind gusts in mph, click to enlarge:
The 6-hourly GFS data shows the storm's evolution.
A meteorological and climatological perspective on the causes of the storm will be worthwhile in due course. For now, here's a link for those with desire and ability to help with relief and recovery costs:
All dwellings or storage units need to be elevated above potential flooding zones in risk prone areas. Who and how is now the question, and the task. Storms-floods>impacts to ground based possessions are a reality. They always have been even when occupants lived in subterranean structures.
ReplyDeleteMore news from the storm-affected area:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.kyuk.org
https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/10/14/flooded-alaska-villages-face-recovery-far-tougher-than-most-americans-will-ever-see/
Thanks, Gary. Distressing stuff.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the Fall's future storm track will be displaced further south than previous events. But then comes cold air from the north and snow.
ReplyDeleteGiven the season I don't see how coastal village infrastructure can be readily repaired or replaced before winter. It's going to take some big effort and finances to fix it.
Aerial video of Kipnuk AK post flood damage
ReplyDeletehttps://gray-prod.video.arc-cdn.net/wp-gray/20251017/68f1caaaeaef584e574c12cc/t_b96445cd40e54621ad7c087adf472881_name_Kipnuk_Drone/master.m3u8