Rescues in Western Alaska as East Coast Braces for Severe Weather

Alaska, October 13 (AP) - In western Alaska, more than 30 people have been rescued while three remain missing after the remnants of Typhoon Halong unleashed hurricane-force winds and severe flooding, submerging entire homes in coastal areas, authorities reported.

Emergency aircraft were dispatched to the small Alaskan communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok following reports of missing individuals, revealed Jeremy Zidek, spokesperson for the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

"We've received reports of homes drifting away, possibly with people inside," Zidek informed the Associated Press.

In Kwigillingok, Alaska State Troopers announced via social media on Sunday evening that 18 individuals had been rescued, with three still missing. In Kipnuk, 16 people have been saved, but troopers received indirect reports of others missing.

Authorities are collaborating with local officials to ascertain the number of missing persons. Search operations were poised to proceed overnight as conditions permitted.

Approximately 600 residents in Kipnuk sought shelter at a school, while around 300 in Kwigillingok did likewise, according to the nonprofit Coastal Villages Region Fund.

The region is notoriously isolated in the US, where communities often lack roads, leading residents to rely on boardwalks, boats, and snowmobiles for transportation, Zidek explained.

"Every effort will be made to assist those impacted by this storm. Help is on the way," stated Governor Mike Dunleavy.

East Coast Alerts - On the East Coast, forecasters warned of probable major coastal flooding from Virginia to New Jersey, with strong winds, high surf, and high tides expected. Coastal flooding should peak Monday afternoon, gradually subsiding by Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

A nor'easter swept up the East Coast over the weekend, resulting in washed-out roads and flight delays. Dangerous surf conditions will persist Monday, with strong rip currents and beach erosion along multiple East Coast beaches, the weather service cautioned. Wind gusts may exceed 55 mph (89 kph) along New Jersey, Long Island, and southern New England through Monday afternoon.

The State of New Jersey has been under a state of emergency since Saturday night. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared an emergency for eight southern counties in her state as the storm intensified Sunday evening, urging residents to monitor forecasts and limit travel. The Columbus Day Parade in New York City was canceled.

In Delaware, emergency management officials activated the state National Guard on Sunday due to escalating floodwaters and severe winds. A voluntary evacuation order was issued for Bowers Beach, where the Murderkill River meets Delaware Bay.

In North Carolina's Outer Banks, an area severely affected by storms this season, ocean overwash covered Highway 12 near Buxton, according to the Dare County Sheriff's Office. The North Carolina Department of Transportation reported that crews were working to reopen the highway, which was closed on Ocracoke and Hatteras on Sunday.

Intense waves battered the Hatteras Island town of Buxton, with several beachfront homes having fallen into the ocean recently. A house appeared on the brink of collapse Sunday, losing its supporting pilings. (AP)

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)