What to know about the recovery efforts in Alaska following ex-Typhoon Halong

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The mass evacuation by military aircraft of hundreds of residents from Alaska villages ravaged by the remnants of Typhoon Halong is complete, and officials and local leaders are turning attention to trying to stabilize damaged infrastructure and housing where they can before the winter freeze sets in.

The focus of major response efforts following back-to-back storms that battered western Alaska has been the Yup’ik communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, which are near the Bering Sea and have histories of flooding. While more than a dozen communities reported damage from the remnants of Halong earlier this month, Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were devastated by storm surge and water levels that reached record highs.

Homes were swept away, some with people inside. Winds in the region shook and tossed buildings like toys. First responders recounted rescuing people from rooftops. One person died, and two remain missing.

Initial estimates suggest 90% of buildings were destroyed in Kipnuk, with the fresh water supply seemingly contaminated by fuel and sewage, according to a report released Monday by Alaska’s emergency management division. About 35% of buildings in Kwigillingok were destroyed, the report states.

The Alaska Federation of Natives passed a resolution during its annual convention that ended Saturday in support of expansive, urgent and ongoing help for the region.

The group is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska, and its meeting in Anchorage coincided with the temporary relocation last week of hundreds of people to shelters in the city, which is Alaska's largest and about 500 miles (804.7 kilometers) from some of the tiny villages where residents rely heavily on hunting and fishing as part of their culture.

The resolution, among other things, urges the state and federal governments “to make sustained investments in permanent Alaska Arctic infrastructure and protective measures” and to strengthen ties with tribes “to ensure a consistent federal presence and equitable access to resources for remote communities across the Bering Sea and Arctic regions.”

Funds for community resilience or aimed at mitigating disaster risks have been called into question by President Donald Trump's administration, with efforts to cancel them being challenged in court. Alaska's U.S. senators, Republicans Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, have said they would make the case for the importance of such funds in Alaska, where numerous rural communities face threats from coastal erosion and thawing permafrost that require significant infrastructure updates — and in some cases, relocation.

The Alaska Federation of Natives' resolution also urged the federal government to establish a regional response hub in the southwest Alaska community of Bethel and to provide funds for village public safety officers to aid in response efforts. And it asks governments at all levels to discourage “any barriers that would inhibit hunting and fishing practices” to replenish fish, moose meat and other subsistence and traditional foods that Native people lost in the storm.

The remoteness of the region requires goods to be shipped in by barge or brought in by air. Hunting and fishing helps supplement food available at local groceries that can be limited and often expensive.

On Monday, 65 displaced students began classes in Anchorage schools. Anchorage School District staff over the weekend met with families in the shelters set up in the city and helped register children for school, the district said in a statement.

The district superintendent, Jharrett Bryantt, in a statement last week said school teams would be ready to provide emergency supplies, bus transportation, mental health services, language assistance and other support.

“This transition carries both emotional and cultural weight. Our schools will be places of belonging, healing and hope, where every child feels safe, valued and connected,” he said. “Honoring each student’s culture, language and relationships will be essential to helping them heal and rebuild their sense of home.”

Focus by the state has shifted to sending personnel and supplies into communities to help restore damaged infrastructure and assist with emergency home repairs, the report from the emergency management agency said. Tribal organizations and consortiums are coordinating efforts to help dry out, salvage and repair homes.

The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp., which is involved in recovery efforts and provides health care in the region, on social media said it anticipates freeze up — when rivers begin to freeze over — within weeks.

Jeremy Zidek, a spokesperson for the state emergency management agency, said there is not yet a date by which officials plan to close shelters that have been set up in Anchorage.

“As we work to return people home or find other accommodation we will assess,” he said by email.

A home is left damaged in Kipnuk, Alaska, on a stream bank after the remnants of Typhoon Halong caused widespread destruction in the coastal village in Western Alaska, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

In this photo provided by the Alaska Army National, Guard Sgt. Mary Miller, a helicopter crew chief, passes a bottle of water to a child while evacuating displaced people from Kwigillingok, Alaska, during recovery operations on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (Joseph Moon/Alaska National Guard via AP)

People from the village of Tuntutuliak, Alaska, arrive in Bethel, Alaska, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, on an Alaska Army National Guard helicopter. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

In this photo provided by the Alaska National Guard, Alaskans from West Coast communities board buses after arriving at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (Alejandro Pena/Alaska National Guard via AP)

In this photo provided by the Alaska National Guard, an Alaska Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III, assigned to the 176th Wing, arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, with evacuated residents from western Alaska, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (Alejandro Pena/Alaska National Guard via AP)

In this photo provided by the Alaska National Guard, Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Angel Reyes distributes hearing protection to passengers while evacuating Alaskans displaced in the aftermath of Typhoon Halong out of Bethel, Alaska, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (Alaska National Guard via AP)

In this photo provided by the Alaska Army National Guard, displaced people are evacuated from Kwigillingok, Alaska, on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, following Typhoon Halong that struck Alaska's west coast. (Joseph Moon/Alaska National Guard via AP)

No. 10 Miami needs everything at its disposal to slow down top-seeded Indiana's high-scoring offense in next week's College Football Playoff championship.

The good news is that the Hurricanes' defense should be at, or near, full strength.

Coach Mario Cristobal told reporters Monday he expects defensive linemen Ahkeem Mesidor and Ahmad Moten, as well as cornerback OJ Frederique, to be ready to play in next week's title game.

Mesidor and Moten were both injured during last week's dramatic 31-27 victory, but later returned. Frederique was injured during Miami's surprising 24-14 Cotton Bowl victory over No. 2 Ohio State and did not play in the Fiesta Bowl. Now, it appears all three will be there to try and help derail the Hoosiers attempt to become the first 16-0 college team since the 1890s.

“I believe we're coming out a lot like we went into the last game,” Cristobal said. “I know a couple guys came out of the game. Mesidor is in great condition. He hurt his elbow for a second and he's already full throttle. Ahmad Moten was full throttle today. I know O.J. came out. (Tight end Elija) Lofton will be the one that's in question. But aside from that, I feel really good about the rest. I would say OJ is good to go and (cornerback Damari) Brown is probably day by day.”

The Hurricanes (13-2, No. 10 CFP) may need every one of them against an Indiana team that is averaging 47.0 points in two blowout playoff wins.

Defensively, the Hoosiers (15-0, No. 1) have been equally efficient, holding their last three opponents — Ohio State, No. 9 Alabama and No. 5 Oregon — to a combined total of just 35 points.

And coach Curt Cignetti acknowledged that aside from losing key defensive lineman Stephen Daley to a right leg injury suffered in the postgame celebration following Indiana's Big Ten championship game victory over the Buckeyes, he expects to have all of his key players on the field next week.

“We came out really good, and everybody that played in the last game will play in this game,” Cignetti said.

Cignetti enters the championship game with a head coaching resume any colleague would want. He's posted 14 straight winning seasons, never had a losing season, celebrated conference championships and deep playoff runs. But there's one line still missing — the same line Cristobal happens to be missing.

Each is one win away from capturing their first national championship.

Naturally, though, neither wants their players pressing as they take college football's biggest stage.

“We've got to prepare for this game no different than we prepared for Ohio State, Alabama,” Cignetti said as the Hoosiers play for their first national title. “The biggest mistake our guys can make, and I'll talk to them tonight in the team meeting about this, is making the game bigger than it is. Going down that road would be detrimental to our preparation and performance. This week is no different than any other week, we have to be on point.”

Cristobal echoed those sentiments, though the Hurricanes face one additional pressure point — they'll be the first CFP to play the title game in their home stadium.

“The only thing that changes is that classes have started, and we have 28, 29 of the 30 new members of our team here practicing with us, which is great for us,” he said. “Aside from that, nothing changes.”

With Corey Hetherman's first season as Miami defensive coordinator nears its end, the Hurricanes seem to be playing some of their best football. They allowed 20 or fewer points in the last seven games prior to the Ole Miss game.

Cignetti isn't surprised.

Hetherman served as his defensive coordinator from 2019-21 at James Madison. When Hetherman departed, Cignetti promoted Bryant Haines to defensive coordinator, and he has served in that capacity each of the past four seasons for Cignetti.

So Cignetti has some notion of what to expect next Monday.

“We've evolved offensively, the terminology has changed. We do things differently, but his scheme has (changed), too,” Cignetti. “Philosophically, in terms, of what we think is important, him and I, that hasn't changed. He's going to create havoc up front, stop the run, tackles for losses, sacks. They've got 47 sacks on the year, and he's going to attack."

Cignetti used the transfer portal to fuel Indiana's success in 2024 and again in 2025 with the additions of players such as Daley, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and starting center Pat Coogan — each of whom has played a key role in this season's success.

But Cignetti said he wants to become less reliant on the transfer portal in the years ahead. In fact, he insists that transition has already started.

“I knew we had to flip the roster (last year)," Cignetti said. “And every year as your high school recruiting builds up, you kind of start to wean down a little bit from the portal. You'll never be at a point where you don't engage with the portal, but this year we'll take a few less than we took last year and last year we took a few less than we did the year before.”

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CORRECTS TO MISSISSIPPI HEAD COACH PETE GOLDING NOT MISSISSIPPI HEAD COACH MARIO CRISTOBAL - Mississippi head coach Pete Golding, center, greets Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, right, after the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal game, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Miami safety Zechariah Poyser (7) and defensive back Ethan O'Connor (24) break up a pass intended for Mississippi wide receiver De'zhaun Stribling (1) during the second half the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal game, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) carries against Indiana linebacker Rolijah Hardy (21) during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) kisses the trophy after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal against Oregon, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the trophy after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal against Oregon, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)