BISSELL Pet Foundation Deploys Animal Incident Management Team to Alaska After Typhoon Halong

When disaster strikes, help often comes from the most unexpected heroes — and this time, that includes a dedicated team focused on saving animals alongside people.

Following the devastating impacts of Typhoon Halong on Alaska’s southwest coast, the State of Alaska has requested support from BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Animal Incident Management (AIM) team. AIM’s Executive Director, Eric Thompson, has been deployed to the State Emergency Operations Center, where he will assist the State Veterinarian and Mass Care partners as recovery operations continue across affected regions.

The storm — which struck the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta earlier this month — brought hurricane-force winds and record flooding to dozens of Alaska Native villages. Entire homes were floated off their foundations, boardwalks were uprooted, and more than 1,000 residents have been displaced, according to state officials. Tragically, one person has died and two remain missing. With winter approaching and several coastal villages now uninhabitable, the state has declared its highest level of emergency response and requested federal disaster assistance.

AIM’s Mission on the Ground

AIM was created to ensure animals are not forgotten during large-scale emergencies — bridging communication between governmental and nongovernmental partners, coordinating critical resources, supporting animal reunification, and assisting local shelters navigating long-term recovery.

During this deployment, AIM will:

• Coordinate disaster response logistics between state and national agencies
• Support the safe reunification of displaced pets and their families
• Help local shelters and rescues manage the surge of animals in crisis
• Assist in planning for long-term animal care and infrastructure recovery

The BISSELL Pet Foundation has been at the forefront of animal disaster response nationwide — mobilizing in past hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. This Alaska mission represents one of its most logistically complex deployments yet, given the region’s remoteness and the challenges of airlifting supplies and evacuees from isolated villages.

A Human and Animal Crisis in a Remote Region

According to NPR’s Sage Smiley, the remnants of Typhoon Halong battered Alaska’s western coastline beginning October 11, flooding entire communities such as Kwigillingok and Kipnuk. These are areas hundreds of miles off the road system — reachable only by air or water — where evacuation has been slow and difficult.

With permafrost thawing and climate change accelerating erosion, many affected communities already faced long-term relocation risks. The destruction caused by Halong has left many wondering whether rebuilding is even possible. Yet amid this uncertainty, volunteers and responders — including those focused on animal welfare — have mobilized to ensure families, both human and four-legged, are not left behind.

Why It Matters

Disasters of this scale remind us that pet rescue is not just about compassion — it’s about community resilience. Families forced to flee often face heartbreaking choices about leaving animals behind. When organizations like BISSELL Pet Foundation’s AIM step in, they fill a vital gap that helps stabilize affected communities during their most vulnerable moments.

Dog Friendly Las Vegas will continue to monitor AIM’s work in Alaska and share updates as BISSELL Pet Foundation reports on recovery progress.

To follow the response directly, visit BISSELL Pet Foundation’s official updates or their social channels for ways to support future animal disaster relief efforts.