Typhoon Halong response: scenes from our shelters

Storms and flooding in western Alaska forced thousands of coastal residents from their homes and into the care of Red Cross humanitarian volunteers. Flip through the slide show below to see and read some of their stories.

Red Cross volunteers and partners gather for a final photo on the day the United Airlines Center shelter was closing.

October 30, 2025

On October 15, 2025, the American Red Cross of Alaska began working with state, local and national partners to respond to the needs of more than 2,000 people fleeing their coastal villages. The remnants of Typhoon Halong delivered hurricane-force winds and record-breaking flooding to their shores, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

From the start of this response, the Red Cross commitment to provide comfort, home and care to evacuees has been grounded in the unique needs of rural Alaskans. We acknowledge that this disaster and relief operation are taking place on the ancestral lands of many different communities and made cultural sensitivity a key part of training for 300 volunteers who are part of our response.

To date, the Red Cross has provided nearly 4,000 overnight stays in our managed emergency shelters. With the help of local partners, these shelters have provided more than just a safe place to stay; they serve as a central hub for recovery assistance and community support.

A 6 year old boy and his aunt embrace at a shelter

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"Kipnuk is broken," is the phrase 6-year-old Gunnar kept repeating on October 29th at the Red Cross shelter in Anchorage.

His family, including his aunt, Nicole Slim, was evacuated from their village in the aftermath of #TyphoonHalong.

The experience has been at times both scary and sad, as they consider the reality of what happened to their home.

They expressed an abundance of appreciation for the Red Cross "angels" who have welcomed and supported them at the shelter.

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When Andronik Kashatok and his family were evacuated from their home in the village of Kipnuk on the west coast of Alaska, he lost everything, including his bible.

His family was flown to Anchorage to find emergency shelter. That's where Red Cross volunteer, Rosita Bryant-Wilburn, a minister at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Fairbanks, Alaska, comes in.

She located a printing of the bible in the Yup’ik language and delivered it to him personally.

“It’s God’s work,” Andronik Kashatok said.

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Residents of the villages along the west coast of Alaska have been evacuated from their homes and are staying at Red Cross shelters in Anchorage.

At the Egan Center (pictured) and the Alaska Airlines Center, the Red Cross is working with the people of the Kipnuk and Kwigillinguk tribes to preserve the culture for these tribal residents who are hundreds of miles from their homes, most of them for the first time.

Photo by Ryan Lang/American Red Cross

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Red Cross volunteer Michelle Mach spends time with Tik, a therapy dog from National Crisis Response Canines at the Egan Center shelter. The group has been bringing their dogs to both Red Cross shelters for residents and volunteers.

Photo by Ryan Lang/American Red Cross

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Ally Shangin (top middle) and Garrett Keshatok (top right) and their four daughters, Katelynn (9, left), Lola (2, bottom left center), Alyssa (3, bottom right), and Shemeka (10 mos., top right) were evacuated from their home in Kipnuk after the remnants of Typhoon Halong devastated their village.

“I was so scared. Our girls were scared. I’m just happy we’re safe,” Ally said, recounting her harrowing experience.

Ally, Garrett, and their children spent several days at the Red Cross shelter at the Egan Center in downtown Anchorage.

Photo by Ryan Lang/American Red Cross

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Kipnuk Village Public Safety Office Julia Stone (left) with her grandson speaking with American Red Cross volunteer Kelly Isenor at the Alaska Airlines Center shelter in Anchorage.

As her grandson plays in the shelter, Julia recounts her harrowing experience in the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Halong. Julia’s home, where she lives with her son and her grandchildren, was carried away by the water from the remnants of Halong.

Julia and her family are staying in the Alaska Airlines Center, where the Red Cross has set up a shelter for Alaska Natives displaced by the storm.

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October 30, 2025

The humanitarian hearts of volunteers and the generosity of the Alaska people were captured at the Egan Center.

Emotional goodbyes are a frequent sight as shelter residents transfer from emergency shelters to longer-term housing.

The relationships and bonds built between Red Cross workers and the community members they have served for the last two weeks have made a lasting impression on all involved.

Photo by: Carissa Hettich/American Red Cross

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October 17, 2025

The community was quick to respond to the need of evacuees, delivering much-needed items, like diapers, to the Red Cross managed shelter at the Egan Center.

Photo by: Ryan Lang/American Red Cross

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Gilbert Amik (left), sharing pictures with his mother, Carrie (center), and Red Cross volunteer Deb Blaze (right) at the Alaska Airlines Center shelter where Gilbert and his mother are staying.

They were evacuated from their village of Kipnuk after the remnants of Typhoon Halong destroyed their home.

“I still can’t believe we lost our place,” Gilbert said, “but help is here and I will move forward from here.”

Gilbert and Deb have developed a special relationship since his family has been staying at the Red Cross shelter. “We won’t let you go until we know you’re taken care of,” Deb said. “That makes me feel good inside,” Gilbert said.

Photo by Ryan Lang/American Red Cross

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October 30, 2025

The humanitarian hearts of volunteers and the generosity of the Alaska people were captured at the Egan Center.

Emotional goodbyes are a frequent sight as shelter residents transfer from emergency shelters to longer-term housing. The relationships and bonds built between Red Cross workers and the community members they have served for the last two weeks have made a lasting impression on all involved.

Photo by: Kelly Isenor/American Red Cross

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October 19, 2025

A Yu'pik dessert known as akutuq was on the menu during a potluck dinner for evacuees at the William A. Egan Center in Anchorage.

Photo by: Kelly Isenor/American Red Cross

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October 16, 2025

Red Cross volunteers created an art gallery wall to display the artwork drawn by child evacuees at the William A. Egan Center shelter in Anchorage.

"Every time I pick up a picture, I say 'tell me the story of this picture," said Michelle Mach, retired school administrator and Red Cross shelter volunteer. "Some say this is the water coming up, some thanked their families. The littlest ones just blacked everything out and said 'that's what happened, the water was everywhere.'"

Photo by: Kelly Isenor/American Red Cross

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October 19, 2025

Red Cross volunteers at the Egan Center shelter began asking other volunteers, community partners and visitors to write messages of hope on colored strips of paper.

Each strip was then folded into a circle and attached to a growing paper chain. Within a few days, the chain stretched along the full wall and climbed up the wall along the stairs.

"We very intentionally hung it going up the stairs," said one volunteer. "It's meant to rise, the way the Yu'pik evacuees will ultimately rise up from the devastation of their ancestral lands.

Photo by: Kelly Isenor/American Red Cross