Typhoon Halong has caused devastating damage in Western Alaska. Many people have lost homes, power, access to basic services and have been uprooted from their traditional lands. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this storm.

This disaster has hit close to home for our Alaska Communications family. April Brink, a dedicated data network technician based in Anchorage, is facing unimaginable hardship. Her 71-year-old mother, Sarah Phillip, lives in Kwigillingok, a small Yup’ik village that was among the hardest hit. In the middle of the night, Sarah and her partner Alfred were swept away when their home was torn from its foundation and carried upriver of Kwigillingok. They had no clue of how far or where they were headed. After being in waist-deep freezing water for nine hours, Sarah remembered that they had seal oil in the freezer and they sipped on it to stay warm.

At first light, they were miraculously found and evacuated to safety. As elders, they were among the first to evacuate the village with just the clothes on their backs. They are now safe in Anchorage, staying with April’s sister, but they have lost everything - their home, clothing, and food gathered from fishing, hunting and picking berries. Every contribution makes a difference in helping move forward - from basic needs to eventually finding a temporary home.

Photo: Sarah Phillip's home after being torn from its foundation and carried upriver of Kwigillingok. Photo credit: Alfred Lewis.