Help Rebuild Kipnuk: Support Urgent Relief for a Village in Crisis
On October 11th, our remote Alaska Native Village of Kipnuk was devastated when the Typhoon Halong swept across western Alaska. With wind gusts over 110 miles per hour and flood waters rising more than 6 feet above the high water line, the storm left Kipnuk and neighboring communities in ruins.
In Kipnuk, 90% of the homes have been designated as uninhabitable. Entire families were forced to flee as sea water surged 6.6 feet above normal high tide levels, flooding the village and knocking out almost all infrastructure. For days, our community had no power, no dry ground, and nowhere to turn.
About 900 of the 2,000 people evacuated across the region are from Kipnuk, many of whom arrived at emergency shelters in Bethel and Anchorage with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. The state has pledged over 1,000 beds for over 2,000 evacuees from across the region leaving many without safe, stable shelter, heading into Alaska’s long winter.
The Native Village of Kipnuk Tribal Council is now urgently raising funds to support our displaced community members. Every donation will go directly toward:
- Temporary housing like hotel rooms and warm, safe shelter
- Essential supplies for families starting over
- School supplies for the 60+ tribal youth suddenly relocated to Anchorage schools
- Mental health resources for those coping with trauma and loss
- And other immediate needs as winter approaches
Needs are still being assessed so please note the goal may increase as milestones are reached and we learn more.
This is an unimaginable time for Kipnuk, a close-knit, resilient community. While the road ahead is long, our tribe is determined to care for its people and we need your help to do it.
Please stand with Kipnuk. Help bring relief, restore hope, and support our families as they face the long journey of recovery.
Some of the photos used to share this story are from the Alaska National Guard.
Organizer
Rayna Paul
Organizer
Kipnuk, AK