A disaster area declaration has been called after storm caused by typhoon ‘Merbok’ hit the coast of Alaska on the 18th of September.
The National Weather Service (NWS) and the Disaster Response Authority issued flood warnings on the western and northern coasts of Alaska on the 18th, urging residents to evacuate.
Although Mr Bok was weakened by a low-pressure storm, it brought the strongest rain and wind to Alaska in more than a decade as it headed north into the Bering Strait.
Strong winds of up to 146 km/h were measured in coastal areas, and the high tide in some seaside towns exceeded 3.3 meters.
Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a disaster zone the night before.
According to the provincial government, no casualties have been reported so far, but about 450 people in coastal areas have been evacuated as seawater overflowed due to rising sea levels.
Alaska State Senator Lisa Murkowski said many coastal towns, including Bethel and Nom, were submerged.
Disaster authorities said they are tallying up the exact status of damage, saying that reports of flooding, damage, and power outages have been received in several villages.