SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) led a group of senior federal officials to Western Alaska last weekend to assess damage in villages affected by the remnants of Typhoon Halong. The delegation included leaders from the White House Office of Management and Budget, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Coast Guard, and the American Red Cross.

“It’s one thing to receive a PowerPoint briefing in D.C. about a disaster taking place thousands of miles away. It’s quite another experience to be on the ground, walking through a devastated community, speaking with the people who’ve lost so much,” said Sen. Sullivan. “That was my objective in bringing senior White House, Homeland Security, FEMA, military and Coast Guard officials to some of the hardest hit villages in Western Alaska last weekend. What we saw was severe, widespread damage to vital infrastructure, airports, boardwalks, homes, and other buildings. But we also saw incredible resilience among the people—Alaskans helping one another in their time of need, clearing debris and making repairs where possible in time for the fast-approaching winter weather. I want to once again commend the Coast Guard, Alaska National Guard, and local crews who conducted the immediate search-and-rescue missions and who continue to move goods and people—including our own delegation—to and from these communities. And, I want to thank the countless local, tribal, non-profit and state leaders who facilitated this important visit, giving me and these officials thorough insights on what these communities have been through and what they will need to recover over the near- and longer-term. Our objective now is to make sure our federal government matches the strength we all saw in Western Alaska with the action, resources, and urgency Alaskans here expect.”

The group included representatives from state agencies as well as tribal organizations such as Natasha Singh from Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium; Vivian Korthuis from Association of Village Council Presidents; State Senator Lyman Hoffman; State Representatives Nellie Jimmie and Bryce Edgmon; Myron Naneng Sr., Calista Corporation Board member; Lucy Martin from Native Village of Kwigillingok; Rose “Sugar” Henderson, mayor of Bethel; Dan Winkelman from Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation; and Major General Torrence Saxe of Alaska National Guard.

This visit came after President Trump approved Governor Mike Dunleavy's request for a federal disaster declaration due to widespread destruction across Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta region. Senator Sullivan had personally requested that President Trump expedite this approval process. Alongside granting this request for assistance after Typhoon Halong’s impact on western Alaskan villages—a measure designed to help address immediate recovery needs—the president also announced $25 million in initial relief funding while further assessments are ongoing that may result in additional federal aid.