UPDATE: Hundreds of evacuees from Western Alaska are currently staying in Anchorage hotels as they cope with the aftermath of devastating storms that destroyed their homes. As of November 14, 2025, approximately 670 individuals are living in various hotels while awaiting relocation to permanent housing.
Among those affected is Ally Shangin, who, along with her partner Garrett Kashatok and their four daughters, is trying to establish a new routine in their cramped hotel room at the Wingate Hotel. “Moving here with our family – it was okay, but it’s not okay,” said Shangin, expressing the deep longing for their home in Kipnuk. “My girl is missing her home. My honey misses our home.”
Authorities report that beyond the 670 evacuees in Anchorage hotels, many others have sought refuge with relatives or friends. Jeremy Zidek, public information officer for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, confirmed that over 1,400 individuals have registered for state assistance across Anchorage and Bethel.
As winter approaches, the challenges for these families intensify. Many evacuees are still unable to return home due to the destruction left by last month’s storms. “There are just a lot of moving parts,” Zidek stated. Officials are focused on ensuring that any new housing is adequately furnished and accessible to necessary services.
Life in the hotel has forced families to adapt to unfamiliar routines. The Shangin family relies heavily on fast food for meals, a stark contrast to their previous diet of home-cooked Native meals. With limited resources in their hotel room, they struggle to maintain a sense of normalcy. “Fast food every day – not us,” Shangin lamented, highlighting the emotional toll on her children, particularly her 9-year-old daughter, who now balances homeschooling with caring for her younger siblings.
Other families, like that of Julia Tuutaq Stone, a police officer from Kipnuk, are finding solace in community support at the Aspen Hotel in Anchorage. Stone expressed gratitude for keeping her family together during this tumultuous time. “I’m really happy. That’s what I was praying about,” she said, noting that her grandsons are adjusting well despite the upheaval.
As the situation continues to unfold, families are finding ways to support each other through shared experiences. Many evacuees are forming new bonds in the hotel setting, providing a semblance of comfort amidst the chaos. Zidek emphasized the efforts to keep families from the same villages together, which fosters a sense of community among those displaced.
While some families are settling into temporary housing, others, like Kristen Amik’s family of seven, are living with relatives. Amik expressed mixed feelings about their situation, grateful for family support but aware that many evacuees lack such resources. “Even if we’re far from home, we still feel blessed to be here with them,” she noted.
As the holiday season approaches, the emotional weight of displacement becomes more pronounced. Families are preparing for a Thanksgiving and Christmas away from their homes, a stark reminder of their altered lives. Shangin’s family is hopeful after viewing potential apartments, dreaming of the day they can return to a semblance of normalcy. “It was perfect,” she said of a two-bedroom apartment they looked at, envisioning her children having their own space once again.
The state and federal response is ongoing, with agencies working tirelessly to assess the damage and restore normalcy to the affected villages. As Anchorage becomes a temporary haven, the urgency for long-term solutions grows.
As the situation continues to develop, evacuees remain resilient, navigating their new realities with hope for the future. Stay tuned for further updates on this critical situation as officials work to provide much-needed assistance to those affected.
