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

Remnants of Typhoon Halong bring widespread damage to Western Alaska
A powerful, ongoing storm in Western Alaska has flooded communities, destroyed homes and left some residents injured by flying debris. Officials say rescue efforts are underway after floodwaters in multiple communities swept homes off their foundations. The remnants of Typhoon Halong tracked farther east than expected, slamming into the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta coast early on Sunday morning. Officials said Sunday afternoon that the hardest hit communities appeared to be Kipnuk, Kwigillingok and Napakiak.
Kwigillingok, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Evan Erickson, Casey Grove, Desiree Hagen, Alena Naiden, Ben Townsend, Samantha Watson

Lakes Have Curious Color
Observers from a small plane reported unusual green color in lakes and ponds, raising concerns about lake health and the potential for invasive species.
Chefornak, Alaska, United States
Alyssa Leary, Joey Billy, Thomas Farrugia, Brian Lefferts, Edda Mutter

Tidal action and fierce winds flood low-lying areas of Kwigillingok
On January 10, 2025, Kwigillingok experienced significant flooding due to strong tidal action and fierce winds, leading to a flood advisory and a federal disaster declaration for past damages.
Kwigillingok, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Newtok shuts down its critical infrastructure
Newtok, a community in Alaska, has shut down power and water services as part of a relocation effort due to permafrost deterioration and coastal erosion dangers.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
KYUK

All public services decommissioned and shut down: Newtok's end is imminent
Newtok faces imminent shutdown due to severe infrastructure risks and erosion, with remaining residents relocating to temporary homes in Mertarvik.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Dozens of Newtok students attend classes in a school that’s coming apart
Rapid erosion and permafrost degradation mean school district officials are in a race to shore up the building for the remainder of the school year.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Avian Influenza suspected on Yukon Delta
Dead birds suspected to have died from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza have been found on Kigigak Island and Tutakoke River in Alaska, with other bird species displaying unusual behaviors.
Kigigak Island and Tutakoke River, Alaska, United States
January Frost, Bryan Daniels, Andrew Ramey, Bob Gerlach, Brian Lefferts, Sarah Yoder, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Joey Billy, John Stedman

First bird flu casualty detected in Southwestern Alaska pending confirmation
As of June 1, laboratory testing was still underway and had not yet fully confirmed which variant of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza the migratory bird had, and there are other possible detections this year, according to Alaska State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Gerlach.
Southwestern Alaska, United States

After September storm, Newtok residents are desperate to relocate
Melting permafrost and severe erosion have plagued the community for decades. The most recent storm brought waves so fierce, the water claimed roughly half of the 80 or so remaining feet of land that stands between the back end of the school and the edge of the Ningliq river.

Severe Erosion in Newtok
A site visit to Newtok on September 30, shows severe erosion from impacts of storm (typhoon Merbok). The images show both severe permafrost melt and river erosion.

Storm unearths ancient tusks
The aftermath of Typhoon Merbok left fuel tanks floating and home flooded, but locals also saw an opportunity.

Storm bounty in clams
Storms can bring a bounty to the beach - driftwood sometimes or in this case, clams! But be careful out there. There are new concerns about emerging levels of harmful algae in Western Alaska waters, which could impact shellfish and human health.
Mertarvik, Alaska, United States
Louisa Castrodale, Chris Dankmeyer, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Gay Sheffield, Racheal Lee, Bob Gerlach, Brian Lefferts, Emma Pate, Joanna Barton, Julie Matweyou, Thomas Farrugia, Karen Pletnikoff

Typhoon Merbok in Tununak
On September 17, 2023 Typhoon Merbok hit the coast of Tununak, Alaska. Here are some photos taken by Roseanne Panruk, after the storm caused by Typhoon Merbok
Tununak, Alaska, United States
John Walter Jr, James Benzschawel, Max Neale

Unusual bird behavior and illness observed across species on Yukon Delta
"Since about May 25, crews have been seeing multiple species showing what we believe are signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The signs we are seeing widespread is a headshaking that we equate to "getting the cobwebs out", like a person may do when they first wake up. This behavior occurs regularly every couple minutes. This behavior has been observed in: black brant, cackling geese, bar-tailed godwits, dunlin, lapland longspurs, spectacled eiders, emperor geese, greater white-fronted geese, sabines gulls, glaucous gulls, and red-necked phalaropes."
Kimberlee Beckmen, Angela Matz, Louisa Castrodale, Gay Sheffield, Bob Gerlach, Michael Bruce, Andrew Ramey, Eric Taylor, Eric Taylor, Bryan Daniels, Rose Kalistook, Brian Lefferts, Brian Berube, Raphaela Stimmelmayr

Small owl sighting
This small owl was sighted perching under a building. LEO Network looking for some help on an identification.
Kongiganak, Alaska, United States
Krissy Dunker, Paul Paul, Edward Weiss, Lem Butler, Marian Snively

Where are the tomcods (Eleginus gracilis)? Kongiganak
The tomcod harvests in the Kongiganak, Cavuuneq and Ilkivik Rivers have been a failure. Also in other areas, based on observations from Chevak and Chefornak. Both the surface and bottom trawl results show a clear decline in tomcod biomass in the North Bering Sea.
Kongiganak, Alaska, United States
Brian Lefferts, Anna Godduhn, Jennifer Hooper, Janelle Kinegak, Dana Diehl, Tracy Lewis, Gay Sheffield, Cynthia Paniyak, Natasia Kassel, Elizabeth Buckingham, Mike Brubaker

Where are tomcods / Naugat Ceturr'nat (Eleginus gracilis)? Chefornak
Not a single catch was reported in the village of Chefornak. Meanwhile in Kivalina, dozens and dozens of tomcods are pictured and posted on "The Alaska Life" Facebook page.
Chefornak, Alaska, United States

Summer thawing impacts on utility poles and shoreline
Thawing permafrost and erosion is resulting in the loss of infrastructure in Newtok. These images show impacts on utility poles, and the shoreline.

Southwest Alaska community on Bering Sea coast experiences severe flooding
Kwigillingok, a community on the Bering Sea coast of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, is used to some flooding during high tides. But in recent years, that flooding has grown more severe, reaching a new threshold last week.
Kwigillingok, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Hunt opens for musk ox stranded on ice floes
The musk ox were stranded on the ice floes after wandering onto the sea ice during breakup.
Mekoryuk, Alaska, United States

YKHC Urges Pets Get Rabies Vaccines After Rabid Foxes Found
Three foxes from three Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities have tested positive for rabies in recent weeks.
Nightmute, Alaska, United States

Sewage Lagoon Project Finally Completed
Abnormally warm winters in 2018 and 2019, in which the ground did not freeze solid enough to support heavy equipment, delayed completion of this project.
ANTHC Plumb Dandy

Sinkhole opens under Chefornak home, forcing family to evacuate
In Chefornak, a family was forced to evacuate their home because a sinkhole caused by thawing permafrost formed underneath it. That family had to move into a building intended to be a quarantine facility.
Chefornak, Alaska, United States

Kipnuk the latest village to flood as storms rile the ice-free Bering Sea
This has become the new norm across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Late winters and sudden thawing have turned roads into slush and made rivers and sloughs, which are necessary for travel, less safe because they take longer to freeze.
Kipnuk, Alaska, United States

Storm Brings Flooding in Newtok
A storm system during the last week of November brought high winds and seas to Newtok and other western Alaska communities.
Jacqualine Schaeffer, David Beveridge, Brian Lefferts, Edward "Ted" Smith, Gavin Dixon

Unusual Rusty Tussock Caterpillar (Orgyia antiqua)
"This is the first time I've seen this kind of caterpillar in this area."
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Cone Clouds
Unusual cone clouds in the air likely produced precipitation that evaporated before reaching the ground, due to unusually warm conditions.
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Odd condition of Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
"Looked normal at first then we started to butcher it found some unusual stuff on the insides."

Snowmachiner watches wild dogs take down musk ox in Western Alaska
Patrick Jones, wildlife biologist for the state Department of Fish and Game, said he has heard of dogs killing moose, caribou and a days-old musk ox calf, but nothing like this attack.
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Eagle Sighting
Eagle sighting during winter in Western Alaska.
Kongiganak, Alaska, United States

Late blooming iris (Iris setosa) and lowbush cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
During fall time, we only hand pick when the blackberries turn brown. As I was picking I saw this wild iris, like it bloomed just a few days ago. I was very awed to see this flower in October.

A respected outdoorsman, this 26-year-old was traveling to get firewood when he disappeared
When Jazmin James hadn’t returned to Tununak by Easter Sunday as planned, the family reported him missing. His snowmachine was found on sea ice, partly submerged in water.
Tununak, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Chefornak bands together to combat climate change
This is not the first time this village has faced the threat of erosion and flooding, but relocating won’t be as easy as it was last time.

Amid warm winter, scientists say Alaska sea ice conditions are ‘shockingly bad’
That hurts coastal communities that hunt on the ice. But colder weather may be coming, at least to some portions of Alaska. Ice should be hugging the coast near the village of Gambell, perched on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea, said Mayor Susan Apassingok, on Tuesday. But ice isn't there.
Pacific Ocean-Bering Sea, East Coast, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

As permafrost thaws, Western Alaska village cemeteries sink into swampland
In villages like Kongiganak, communities have stopped burying their dead because, as the permafrost melts, the oldest part of their cemetery is sinking.

In Newtok, residents worry the encroaching river will destroy a way of life
When the river takes the first houses, the village could start to scatter. And Newtok’s blend of the modern and traditional could erode away with the land.
Rachel Waldholz, Alaska's Energy Desk - Anchorage

Citing safety concerns, airlines refuse to fly to permafrost-damaged Tununak Airport
About a year ago, Tununak opened a $19 million, state-of-the-art airport, but shifting permafrost is buckling the runway.
Tununak, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

Shifting permafrost threatens Alaska village's new airport
Tununak Airport near Bethel is facing a catastrophic problem, as airlines are refusing to land there due to the village's shifting permafrost.
CBC News

As permafrost thaws, village cemeteries sink into swamp
Climate change is thawing the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta’s permafrost, and it’s doing more than cracking foundations, sinking roads and accelerating erosion.

What Kind of Beetle is This?
Unknown Beetle

Newtok asks: Can the U.S. deal with slow motion climate disasters?

White Fish (C. nelsonii) with Saprolegnia Fungus
Had pus on them.

Unknown Butterfly (Polygonia gracilis)
Unknown butterfly observed in southwest Alaska.

Very Vary Berry Land
An abundant harvest of various berries this year.

Early Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus)
Early Salmonberries (Rubus chamaemorus)

Early and Abundant Salmonberries (Rubus chamaemorus)
Early and abundant salmonberries (Rubus chamaemorus)

Crack in the Tundra
Possibly an effect of thawing permafrost.
Kipnuk, Alaska, United States

Early Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) Bloom
Early salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) boom

Unusual Atmospheric Rainbow
Unusual atmospheric rainbow-like

Wolf reports (Canis Lupus) on Nelson Island
An unusual visitor, or new neighbor?

Still No Sea Ice
Open water interferes with subsistence practices.
Hajo Eicken, Anna R John, Moses Tcheripanoff

Winter Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) Sighting
The lack of sea ice in Toksook Bay, has allowed for a uniquel sighting - a January beluga whale!

Black Fungus (phaeohyphomycoses) on Smelt
Smelt caught on the Kugkaktlik River were found to have dark spots on the skin. Photo examination suggests that the cause is the same black fungus found in saffron cod in Norton Sound. Continued surveillance for this condition in fish is requested by LEO Network members.
Kipnuk, Alaska, United States
Gay Sheffield, James Berner, Jennifer Dobson, Jayde Ferguson, Nick Slim

Unusual Flora - Yellowdot Saxifrage (Saxifrage bronchialis)
Unusual Flora
Nelson Island, Alaska, United States
Ben Balivet, Gino Graziano, Matt Carlson

Erosion Threatens Boardwalk
River erosion damaging pedestrian walkway

Smokey Air
Smokey air

Jellyfish Bloom
Jellyfish bloom

Deformed Halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis)
Deformed halibut (Hippoglossus stenoloepis)
Cape Vancouver, Alaska, United States

Deformed Blackfish
2/27/15 Deformed blackfish - Tooksook Bay, Alaska, USA

Needle Fish Die-off
2/20/15 Needle fish die-off - Kongiganak, Alaska, USA

Sick Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)
11-29-14 Sick harbor seal - Chefornak, Alaska, USA
Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Gay Sheffield, Janelle Kinegak

Winter River Breakup
11-18-14 Winter river break-up - Kongiganak, Alaska, USA

Funnel Cloud
A funnel cloud was sighted minutes after it passed us.
Nightmute, Alaska, United States

Bright Green Bug
7-1-14 Bright green bug - Kongignak, Alaska, USA

Sick Cod
6-12-14 Sick Cod - Tununak, Alaska, USA

Abundant Herring Roe
Abundant herring roe, most ever seen during the low tide - Toksook Bay, Alaska, USA

Early Salmonberry (Rubus chamaemorus) Blossoms
5-27-14 Early salmon berry blossoms - Toksook Bay, Alaska, USA

Seasonal Change
2-25-14 Seasonal change - Nightmute, Alalska, USA
Nightmute, Alaska, USA

Needle Fish with Lesions
Needle fish with lesions observed.

Pressure ice ridges
2-22-12 Pressure ice ridges "Vuneqs" - Kwigillingok, Alaska, USA
Kwigillingok, Alaska, USA

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