Kwigillingok Residents Seek Relocation Amid Climate Change Threats

On October 11, 2025, the remnants of Typhoon Halong struck Kwigillingok, a remote Alaska Native village, causing significant flooding and destruction. Noah Andrew Sr., a lifelong resident, described the harrowing experience of his house floating two miles as water surged inside. The storm left 678 residents evacuated, with many now residing in larger cities like Bethel and Anchorage, which are hundreds of miles away. The village, home to approximately 400 people, has faced ongoing challenges from climate change, including thawing permafrost and increased flooding.

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Residents of Kwigillingok have expressed a strong desire to relocate 27 miles northeast to higher ground. Darrel John, a local educator, noted that the recent storm was unlike any previous flooding he had experienced, prompting a collective call for relocation. The community's history of adaptation to climate change has been complicated by a lack of funding and a clear plan for moving. The federal government has not committed to a relocation strategy, leaving residents concerned about their cultural and linguistic heritage as they remain displaced.

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Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy emphasized the complexity of the relocation issue, stating that the focus is currently on rebuilding damaged infrastructure with assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He acknowledged the need for further discussion and research regarding relocation, despite a prior report indicating that 144 communities in Alaska face similar threats from climate change. This report estimated that addressing these risks would require approximately $4.3 billion over the next fifty years.

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The prolonged evacuation poses significant risks to the Yup'ik culture, as residents fear losing their language and traditional practices. Ann Fienup-Riordan, a cultural anthropologist, highlighted the importance of maintaining the Yup'ik language, which is primarily spoken in homes and communities. She pointed out that many current village sites were established by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the 1950s, often without consideration for future climate challenges. The potential relocation could allow residents to utilize the original village site for subsistence activities, aligning more closely with traditional practices.

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As winter approaches, the recovery process in Kwigillingok has slowed, leaving residents in limbo regarding their future. The urgency for a relocation plan grows as they await decisions from state and federal officials. The community's resilience and cultural identity hinge on the outcome of these discussions, as they seek to safeguard their way of life against the ongoing threats posed by climate change.

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• "When we started floating away, water started to come into the house … through the door." — Noah Andrew Sr., Resident

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• "I don't want my grandchildren to go through this again." — Darrel John, Local Educator

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• "I'm hoping that this storm, you know, will open their eyes [and] open their ears." — Darrel John, Local Educator

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• "These year-round villages that were established in the 1950s … are new or relatively new." — Ann Fienup-Riordan, Cultural Anthropologist

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