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In photos: Tears and uncertainty in day two of mass evacuation from western Alaska
Posted
Corinne Smith
Evacuees board a C-17 military transport plane from Bethel to Anchorage on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Flights continued on a C-17 military transport plane Thursday evacuating hundreds of residents of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok after the devastation of ex-Typhoon Halong.
Evacuees sheltered overnight in Bethel on Wednesday after being airlifted from their coastal communities by the Alaska National Guard, each carrying just one suitcase and one bag of personal items.
A couple holds hands as they board an evacuation flight from Bethel to Anchorage on October. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Roughly 150 people stayed at an emergency shelter at the Alaska National Guard Readiness Center. Others stayed with family or friends or in accommodations arranged by the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation in Bethel.
On Thursday morning, evacuees lined up to board the second flight to Anchorage, landing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Emergency shelters have been set up at Alaska Airlines Center, the Egan Center, and city recreation centers at Spenard and Fairview.
An estimated 2,000 evacuees are expected in Anchorage by Friday, said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance.
Dolly Martin, 19, her mother and four siblings were headed to stay with family.
“My emotions are all over the place,” she said.
Another flight was scheduled for Thursday afternoon as new evacuees arrive from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.
Seventy-five people were expected to be picked up in Kwigillingok on Thursday. In Kipnuk, the evacuation is largely complete, said Lieutenant Colonel Brendan Holbrook, commander of the 207th Aviation Troop Command with the Alaska Army National Guard.
“Kipnuk is evacuated for everyone that wants to be evacuated. There are about 50 or 100 that stayed behind, that don’t want to come out,” Holbrook said, and estimates there are 200 to 300 people in Kwigillingok who are staying there.
The storm killed one woman in Kwigillingok, 67-year-old Ella Mae Kashatok, and left two family members missing, Vernon Pavil and Chester Kashatok. The local search and rescue effort is still ongoing, led by volunteers and village public safety officers with the Association of Village Council Presidents.
As damage continues to be assessed, emergency crews have dispatched to begin repairs on utilities and sewer systems, water, gas lines, roads, boardwalks, boats and structures. At least 15 communities have reported“substantial damage” across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region.
On Thursday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy submitted a formal request to the Trump administration for a Presidential Disaster Declaration asking Trump to declare a major disaster for Alaska, and provide support and federal aid to help with the recovery.
Click on photos to see full gallery
Evacuees board a C-17 military transport plane from Bethel to Anchorage on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Evacuees seen seated on the floor for the second large-scale evacuation flight from Bethel to Anchorage on October. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Evacuees boarded on the second large-scale evacuation flight wait for takeoff from Bethel to Anchorage on October. 16, 2025 (Photos by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Families sit together in the evacuation flight from Bethel to Anchorage on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Evacuees pass around ear plugs inside the C-17 military transport plane, to dampen the aircraft noise on the roughly one hour flight from Bethel to Anchorage on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Evacuees board the second large-scale evacuation flight from Bethel to Anchorage on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Evacuees from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok are seen on the runway in Bethel headed to board the second large-scale evacuation flight on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
A family boards the second large-scale evacuation flight to Anchorage from Bethel on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Evacuees board a C-17 military transport plane from Bethel to Anchorage on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter piloted by the Alaska National Guard takes off for a fifth day of evacuations from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Evacuees wait in line to board the second large-scale evacuation flight. Reporter Eric Stone with Alaska Public Media interviews Lt. Col. Brendan Holbrook, commander of the 207th Aviation Troop Command with the Alaska Army National Guard on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Members of the Alaska Army National Guard and Alaska Air National Guard seen at the Readiness Center hanger in Bethel, as part of evacuation efforts on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Members of the Alaska National Guard outside a tent where evacuees luggage was stored overnight outside the Readiness Center in Bethel on Oct 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Members of the Alaska Army National Guard and Alaska Air National Guard organize the evacuation out of coastal villages and Bethel to Anchorage on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Sisters Dolly Martin and Rayann Martin of Kipnuk pose for a photo as they wait to board the second evacuation flight from Bethel to Anchorage on October. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Evacuees look out the window of the Alaska National Guard Readiness Center hanger in Bethel at the C-17 military transport plane, bringing people to Anchorage on Oct. 16, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
