More than 30 people have been rescued and three people are still missing in western Alaska after debris from Typhoon Halong brought hurricane-force winds and flooding that swept away entire homes in coastal communities, authorities said.
Rescue planes were dispatched to the small Alaskan villages of Kipnuk and Kwigilingok, where there were reports of a possible missing person, said Jeremy Zidek, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
“We have received reports that people’s homes may have been washed ashore and that people may have been in those homes,” Zidek told The Associated Press.
Alaska State Troopers announced in a social media post Sunday night that at least 18 people were rescued in Kwigilingok, and three people remain missing. At least 16 people were rescued in Kipunuku, and police received secondary reports of missing people. They were working with local authorities to determine the number of missing people. Search operations were expected to continue through the night, conditions permitting.
According to the nonprofit organization Coastal Villages Community Foundation, about 600 people have evacuated to schools in Kipunuku, and about 300 people have evacuated to schools in Kwigiringok. Zidek said the region is one of the most isolated in the United States, with some communities having few roads and residents relying on boardwalks, boats and snowmobiles to get around.
“Every effort will be made to help those affected by this storm. Help is on the way,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy said in a statement.
On the east coast, the forecaster warned Major coastal flooding was likely to occur Monday in the mid-Atlantic region, particularly from Virginia to New Jersey, where strong onshore winds, high waves, and storm surge created a strong possibility. Coastal flooding is expected to peak Monday afternoon and gradually improve into Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
nor’easter It moved north up the East Coast over the weekend, washing out roads and causing flight delays. Dangerous surf conditions are expected to continue into Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology said, causing strong rip currents and coastal erosion along many East Coast beaches. Wind gusts of more than 55 mph (89 kph) remained possible in New Jersey, Long Island and southern New England through Monday afternoon.
New Jersey has been under a state of emergency since Saturday night. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Sunday night for eight southern counties in the state as the storm strengthened. He urged people to monitor the weather forecast and avoid traveling. New York City’s Columbus Day Parade has been canceled.
In Delaware, emergency management officials activated the National Guard on Sunday in response to flooding and high winds. A voluntary evacuation order was issued for the town of Bowers Beach, where the Murderkill River flows into Delaware Bay.
Regions found on the Outer Banks of North Carolina severe storm damage Marine flooding has spread across Highway 12 near Buxton this season, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office announced online Sunday. The North Carolina Department of Transportation said crews were working Sunday to clear closed highways in Ocracoke and Hatteras.
The waves in the town of Buxton on Hatteras Island have been so strong that several beachfront homes have fallen into the water in recent weeks. On Sunday, a house lost its pilings and looked like it was about to collapse.
