High Wind — Lower Koyukuk Valley, Alaska

2025-10-12 · Lower Koyukuk Valley, Alaska

Event narrative

On October 12th at 1156AKST, the Huslia Airport AWOS (PAHL) measured a wind gust of 63 mph. Numerous gusts exceeding 50 mph were recorded at the station. Nearby, the Cottonwood Lake RAWS (COTA2) recorded multiple gusts in excess of 60 mph, with a peak gust of 64 mph measured at 1218AKST on October 12th.

Downed trees were reported in the community of Huslia, along with extensive damage to the roof of one structure.

Wider weather episode

Ex-Typhoon Halong brought high winds and severe coastal flooding to the West Coast of Alaska from October 11th to 13th. The storm caused severe coastal flooding in the Kuskokwim River Delta and high water levels extending north to the Yukon River Delta. These coastal areas all reported high wind gusts near or upwards of 70 to 80 mph. Inland areas as well as the Eastern Norton Sound saw impacts from damaging winds, with gusts upwards of 50 to 60 mph, causing damage to roofs and siding, downed trees, and damaged power lines leading to outages. Significant wave activity on the Koyukuk River near Huslia damaged, swept away, or sank several boats.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1296687. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.