LEO Network

About the LEO Network
The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
Continue

Observations

Red Cross opens Palmer shelter amid Mat-Su windstorm power outages and Wasilla multi-family fire
Hurricane-force wind gusts knocked out power across the Mat-Su Valley and parts of the Kenai Peninsula, prompting the Red Cross to open a shelter in Palmer and utilities to work overnight on restoration. A multi-family home fire in Wasilla also displaced residents.
Palmer, Alaska, United States
Alaska’s News Source (KTUU)

Anchorage rewrites wildfire protection plan for the first time since 2007
In the face of changing climate, an updated planning tool will act as Anchorage's guide to preparing for and living with increased wildfire risk. A public comment period is open until Nov. 30.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

What we know about recovery, a month after ex-Typhoon Halong
With resources spread out over thousands of miles and dozens of communities, KYUK has tried to summarize what we know and don't know about the impact of the storm.
Kwigillingok, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Alaska bottom trawlers face renewed scrutiny amid halibut decline
To reduce their unintended take of halibut, vessels in the bottom trawl fleet have an escape hatch in their nets that allows some of the larger halibut to swim free.
Dutch Harbor, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Water crisis threatens Iran’s stability and global standing, UN expert warns
Iran’s worsening water crisis, described by a top United Nations environmental expert as a state of “water bankruptcy,” risks crippling the country’s infrastructure, undermining its stability, and weakening its influence internationally.
Tehran, Tehrān, Iran

Halong cleanup includes oil spill response as state prepares for evacuees’ return
More than 120 responders are cleaning up oil and gas spills and restoring western Alaska communities after former Typhoon Halong’s storm-surge flooding. The U.S. Coast Guard and partners are recovering fuels and staging safe storage sites as winter conditions and limited daylight complicate work.
Kipnuk, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

'The devastation is quite shocking' – Fallen trees in Inverness woodland still blocking major walking and cycling route
Storm damage has left multiple trees blocking paths in Cullaird Wood on the outskirts of Inverness, obstructing a key section of the South Loch Ness Trail. Highland Council says it is seeking an arrangement with the landowner’s agents to clear the routes after recent storms Floris and Amy.
Inverness, Highland, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

Caution urged due to avalanche danger in Southwest Iceland
Heavy snowfall on Southwest Iceland has led the Icelandic Meteorological Office to raise the regional avalanche forecast to orange (considerable). People in the Reykjavík area are urged to avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees, especially SW-facing slopes where wind slabs may form.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
Vísir

Kipnuk teachers rescue dogs stranded after Typhoon Halong
Teachers in Kipnuk, Alaska rescued dogs that were stranded following impacts from Typhoon Halong. The video report highlights the community response after the storm.
Kipnuk, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source (KTUU-TV)

Drenched insulation, muddy floors and broken heaters: Western Alaska villages race to clean up after the storm
Communities such as Tuntutuliak and Napakiak are working to get homes and infrastructure ready for winter after the destruction caused by ex-Typhoon Halong.
Tuntutuliak, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

In the aftermath of Typhoon Halong, faces reveal themselves on a beach in Southwest Alaska
Typhoon Halong’s storm surge eroded the Nunalleq archaeological site near Quinhagak, exposing and scattering centuries-old Yup’ik artifacts along the Bering Sea coast. Local residents and archaeologists rushed to recover figurines, mask pieces, and other items as permafrost thaw and coastal erosion accelerate losses.
Quinhagak, Alaska, United States

Extreme avalanche seasons can spur major mountain goat population declines
New research finds that mountain goat populations require 11 years – or 1.5 generations – to recover from more extreme avalanche years.
Klukwan, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Alaska Native leaders call for a unified management approach for subsistence resources
Representatives from several Indigenous-led organizations discussed co-management strategies at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention panel.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

An ‘orchestra from Hell’: A firsthand account of the Halong flood
A displaced survivor from Kwigillingok tells his story.
Kwigillingok, Alaska, United States
Northern Journal

Anchorage city leaders declare local disaster to assist hundreds displaced by Western Alaska storms
Anchorage extended a local disaster declaration to support evacuees from Typhoon Halong’s flooding in Western Alaska, opening two city shelters and preparing for up to 1,600 arrivals. Schools and nonprofits are mobilizing, with significant donated funds set to be distributed soon.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Flood evacuees get ready to spend the winter in Anchorage
The American Red Cross of Alaska is preparing to support up to 2,000 flood evacuees through the winter in Anchorage, operating shelters as residents from hard-hit Western Alaska villages continue arriving. Evacuees describe gratitude for aid and concerns about adapting to big-city life.
Alaska's News Source

Ex-typhoon Halong peeled back as much as 60 feet from Quinhagak's shoreline
Remnants of Typhoon Halong caused severe coastal erosion in Quinhagak, Alaska, stripping up to 60 feet of shoreline, flooding parts of town, and pushing boats into riverside trees. The storm imperiled the community’s sewage lagoon and scattered priceless artifacts from the Nunalleq archaeological site along the beach.
Quinhagak, Alaska, United States

The disappearance of cranes, the appearance of walruses, the counting of ravines and the neighborhood with hungry bears - Beringia National Park told about the results of the field season
The field season at Beringia National Park revealed unusual environmental changes, including the disappearance of cranes, the unexpected appearance of walruses, and increased bear activity near human settlements, highlighting significant shifts in local wildlife patterns.
Arakamchechen Island, Chukotka, Russia

Unalakleet shelters dozens of Shaktoolik residents as ex-typhoon sweeps Norton Sound
As the remnants of Typhoon Halong drove flooding and 69 mph winds across Norton Sound, Unalakleet sheltered 88 evacuees from nearby Shaktoolik and moved elders to higher ground. Minor structural damage was reported in Shaktoolik, and flights began returning residents after the storm passed.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

Officials say storm 'completely devastated' Western Alaska communities
Remnants of Typhoon Halong drove record storm surge and hurricane-force winds into Western Alaska, devastating Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta villages like Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. Officials report dozens of homes destroyed, mass rescues, widespread outages, and at least one death, with many residents sheltering and recovery efforts underway.
Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, United States

Governor declares disaster in western Alaska, second storm incoming
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a disaster for western Alaska after an Oct. 8 storm brought flooding and storm surge that damaged homes and infrastructure, prompting a temporary evacuation in Kotzebue. Officials warn another, potentially stronger storm tied to the remnants of Typhoon Halong could bring 70–80 mph winds and further coastal impacts.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

Region weathers storm with some flooding, prepares for upcoming storm on the weekend
A powerful coastal storm brought flooding and damaging winds to western Alaska on Oct. 8, with severe flooding and evacuations in Kotzebue and high water reported across the Bering Strait/Norton Sound region. Communities are now preparing for a larger storm expected over the weekend, with state emergency operations activated.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget
Diana Haecker and Ariana Crockett O’Harra

How 'Amy' Ravaged Norway
Extreme weather 'Amy' brought destructive winds and flooding across Norway, damaging buildings and vehicles, causing landslides, and knocking out power to tens of thousands. Insurance firms received thousands of damage reports as cleanup began across multiple regions.
Bergen, Vestland, Norway
NRK

When permafrost thaw turns Arctic Alaska river red, toxicity levels rise, scientists find
A study of the “rusting” Salmon River and its tributaries in Kobuk Valley National Park suggests that permafrost thaw is causing wider ecological problems.
Kobuk, Alaska, United States

Calling lost chickadees in far-north poplars
The gray-headed chickadee was last heard in Alaska in 2018 and encroaching beavers may diminish what was the birds’ natural habitat.
Toolik Field Station, Alaska

School closed due to quick clay risk
Tverrelvdalen School in Alta, Finnmark, closed on Thursday due to concerns about underlying quick clay. The municipality notified students and parents about the precautionary closure.
Alta, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Alaska had its first heat advisory this summer.
This summer, Alaska experienced an unprecedented heat advisory in Juneau and Fairbanks, marking a significant and unusual shift in its typically cold climate.

Support

Observation Template