Municipality of Anchorage, Native Village of Eklutna and YWCA Alaska support Typhoon Halong evacuees in Anchorage

Anchorage, AK - The Municipality of Anchorage, Native Village of Eklutna (NVE), and Marnell Gaming Management are partnering with YWCA Alaska to provide support for Typhoon Halong evacuees in Anchorage as they transition from hotels into semi-permanent housing.

There are over 600 people evacuated from Western Alaska living in 6 hotels across Anchorage. The State of Alaska is helping them move into housing until they can return to their home communities. The Municipality is working closely with the State to ensure families are supported as they adjust to living in Anchorage.

NVE is contributing $25,000 to the Municipality of Anchorage to support the security of evacuees through increased public safety efforts. Marnell Gaming Management is donating $25,000 to support YWCA Alaska in hosting community meetings with Western Alaska typhoon victims and partner organizations in Anchorage.These meetings will help assess ongoing response efforts, identify service gaps, and make sure displaced individuals and families are safe, supported, and welcomed.

After learning that many of the evacuees were having trouble accessing transportation, the Municipality has directed an additional $25,000 grant to YWCA Alaska to fund a shuttle service to supplement existing transportation resources.

"The Municipality of Anchorage is committed to supporting our fellow Alaskans as they rebuild their lives," said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. "This generous funding from our partners and the shuttle service will help ensure displaced families are safe, supported, and welcomed while they are in our community."

YWCA Alaska has partnered with BAC Transportation to run the shuttle on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Jan. 18. While the shuttle won't meet all transportation needs, it is connecting families staying in different hotel locations, and providing access to groceries, a health and social services office, the Loussac Library and a pharmacy. BAC Transportation significantly discounted its hourly rate in order to provide this service.

"At YWCA Alaska, our mission is to support and uplift Alaskans every day, and Typhoon Halong has significantly increased the demand for services," said YWCA Alaska CEO Jessie Lavoie. "The resources provided by our partners will strengthen our ability to connect storm victims with the essential support systems they need in an unfamiliar environment."

"Anchorage is located on the traditional homelands of the Native Village of Eklutna," said NVE President Aaron Leggett. "We want to help our fellow Alaskans who have been forced from their homes and relocated to our community. Recovery will be a long-term effort, and our Tribe and Marnell Gaming Management will continue to look for additional ways to support those impacted by Typhoon Halong."

Marnell Gaming Management CEO Anthony Marnell added, "One of the first things that became clear early in our partnership with the Native Village of Eklutna was their strong commitment to giving back to the community - a value we wholeheartedly share. When we learned of the horrible tragedy caused by Typhoon Halong, our question was simple: 'How can we help?' We are proud to follow the Tribe's leadership in supporting those impacted."

Additional information and resources for Alaskans impacted by the 2025 West Coast Storms can be found he​re.

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Media Contacts:

Emily Goodykoontz
Press Secretary
Anchorage Mayor's Office
1-907-205-6683
[email protected]

​Charles Fedullo
Strategies 360
[email protected]

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