Alaska's Indigenous Villages Face Increasing Threats from Climate Change

Sun Nov 23 2025 04:52:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Severe storms have highlighted the vulnerability of low-lying Indigenous communities in Alaska, forcing urgent discussions on their sustainability amidst climate change impacts such as flooding and erosion.

Recent storms along Alaska’s western coast have intensified concerns for Indigenous villages facing challenges from climate change. Residents of communities like Kipnuk and Kwigillingok are reeling from the aftermath of Typhoon Halong, with many displaced and questioning their futures. The lack of coordinated federal support and funding complicates relocation efforts, raising the need for immediate solutions to ensure community resilience.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Storms that battered Alaska’s western coast this fall have brought renewed attention to low-lying Indigenous villages left increasingly vulnerable by climate change — and revived questions about their sustainability in a region being reshaped by frequent flooding, thawing permafrost and landscape-devouring erosion.

The onset of winter has slowed emergency repair and cleanup work after two October storms, including the remnants of Typhoon Halong. These storms slammed dozens of communities, leaving residents from the hardest-hit villages, Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, at risk of displacement for months and worried about their futures.

Kwigillingok already was pursuing relocation before the latest storm, but that process can take decades and is hampered by a lack of coordinated funding. Moves by the Trump administration to cut grants for climate resilience have added another layer of uncertainty.

Efforts are underway to help villages buy time to consider next steps by reinforcing infrastructure and elevating homes, according to Bryan Fisher, the state’s emergency management director.

Many Alaska Native villages are threatened by climate change

Alaska is warming faster than the global average. A report revealed that 144 Native communities face threats from erosion and flooding. Coastal populations are particularly vulnerable; the loss of Arctic sea ice means more open water enables storm-driven waves to create damage, while thawing permafrost exacerbates the problem.

Wind and storm surge from Typhoon Halong eroded the shoreline in Quinhagak, impacting culturally significant sites. With only four ex-typhoon events recorded since 1970 along the Bering Sea coast, three have occurred since 2022.

The destruction caused by Typhoon Halong has been unprecedented, with estimates of around 700 homes severely damaged or destroyed. Tragically, these disasters have also led to loss of life.

Options are limited and expensive

At-risk communities can either reinforce existing infrastructure or relocate entirely, but the costs are vast—an estimated $4.3 billion over 50 years. Federal support is uncertain due to past cuts and the complexity of accessing various funding streams.

Past relocations have taken decades and significant investment, making immediate decisions critical for Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. However, the absence of coordinated federal programs leaves these communities struggling for solutions.

There are hopes among community leaders for federal changes that could allow for streamlined support and funding for vulnerable villages, especially in light of recent natural disasters. As Alaska continues to face climate threats, the resilience of its Indigenous communities is at a crossroads.