Alaska Devastated by Typhoon Halong’s Remnants — and Denver QB Bo Nix Steps Up with $1 Million Donation for Victims
Anchorage, Alaska — October 15, 2025.
Alaska is hurting tonight. The remnants of Typhoon Halong have slammed into the state’s western coastline, bringing powerful winds, relentless flooding, and widespread devastation to dozens of coastal communities.
Entire neighborhoods have been submerged. Roads have crumbled into the sea. Families are stranded, and homes have been torn from their foundations by the storm’s unrelenting force. In the aftermath of this historic disaster, a powerful wave of compassion is rising — led by Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, who has donated $1 million to aid relief and rebuilding efforts across the state.
“This isn’t about football; it’s about people,” Nix said in a heartfelt statement Tuesday evening. “When you see others lose everything, you don’t wait — you act.”
A Storm Like No Other
Meteorologists say Typhoon Halong, which formed over the western Pacific earlier this month, weakened as it crossed the ocean but still packed immense energy when it collided with an Arctic cold front over the North Pacific. The resulting hybrid storm — part tropical cyclone, part winter tempest — unleashed record-breaking winds, tidal surges, and torrential rain across western and southern Alaska.
Winds topping 100 miles per hour were reported near Nome and Hooper Bay, while the seaside towns of Shaktoolik and Golovin were nearly wiped off the map by surging waters that pushed half a mile inland. Thousands of residents have been displaced, and initial damage estimates are already approaching $1.5 billion statewide.
“We’ve seen coastal flooding before, but never like this,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy during an emergency press briefing. “Entire villages are gone. This storm will go down as one of the worst in our state’s history.”
Bo Nix’s Quick Action
Just hours after reports of the devastation began circulating online, Bo Nix — known not only for his leadership on the field but also for his deep faith and charitable spirit — reached out to the American Red Cross and the Alaska Disaster Relief Fund, pledging $1 million of his own money to help displaced families and support rebuilding efforts.
The quarterback, who signed with the Broncos earlier this year, has quickly gained a reputation as one of the NFL’s most community-driven young players. His decision to act swiftly drew widespread praise across the sports world.
“Bo didn’t wait for headlines or photo ops,” said Megan Thompson, a Red Cross representative in Anchorage. “He called, asked what we needed most, and wired the money within hours. That kind of immediate help means food, shelter, and medicine for people who lost everything.”
Nix’s donation will fund emergency shelters, mobile medical units, and supply shipments to rural areas that remain cut off by washed-out roads. The Broncos organization also confirmed that it will match Nix’s contribution with an additional $1 million donation, bringing the total to $2 million in direct relief funding.
From the Field to the Front Lines
For those who have followed Nix’s career, his generosity comes as no surprise. During his college years at Oregon, he led charity drives for wildfire victims across the Pacific Northwest. Earlier this year, he made headlines for quietly paying medical bills for 50 cancer patients in Denver — a gesture that earned him national respect far beyond football circles.
“He’s always been about people first,” said Broncos head coach Brian Callahan. “Bo leads in the locker room the same way he leads in life — with heart, humility, and compassion. What he’s done for Alaska shows what kind of man he is.”
Teammates have followed suit, organizing a team-wide fundraiser and encouraging fans to donate to verified relief organizations assisting Alaskan families. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Our brother Bo set the example — let’s match his energy. #PrayForAlaska.”
Voices from the Ground
In Alaska, where the cleanup effort is just beginning, word of Nix’s gesture spread quickly — and brought a rare moment of hope amid the wreckage.
“We lost everything — our home, our boats, our school,” said Maria Aningayou, a resident of Shishmaref. “But to know that people as far away as Denver care about us… it gives us strength to keep going.”
Across the state, local volunteers are working alongside emergency crews to provide food, blankets, and fuel to communities still inaccessible by road. Supply shipments are being flown in by the Alaska Air National Guard, while nonprofit groups are setting up warming centers in Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Meteorologists warn that the aftermath will linger for weeks, with rivers overflowing and freezing temperatures complicating rescue efforts. Still, stories of compassion — from local heroes to national figures like Nix — are providing much-needed encouragement.
“It’s About Humanity”
Speaking briefly with Denver reporters on Wednesday, Nix emphasized that his actions were motivated by empathy, not recognition.
“When you see images of families standing in water where their homes used to be, you realize it could happen to anyone,” he said. “We’re all part of one country, one community. It’s about humanity, not headlines.”
He added that he plans to visit Alaska during the offseason to meet relief workers and families impacted by the disaster.
“I just want to shake their hands and let them know they’re not alone,” Nix said. “Football teaches you about teamwork — and right now, this is America’s team effort.”
The Road to Recovery
State officials say it will take months, possibly years, to rebuild the towns that bore the brunt of Typhoon Halong’s fury. Early assessments show that more than 3,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, while power outages continue to affect tens of thousands across the state’s coastal regions.
Federal emergency aid is on the way after President Biden signed a disaster declaration Wednesday morning, freeing up FEMA resources and federal funding for recovery.
But for many Alaskans, it’s the gestures of private citizens — like Nix’s donation — that bring the deepest sense of comfort.
“We’re strong people, but even the strongest need a little help sometimes,” said Governor Dunleavy. “Bo Nix’s generosity reminds us that the American spirit is alive and well.”
A Nation Watching — and Helping
As the storm’s aftermath unfolds, Americans across the country are stepping up to assist. Charities, churches, and fan communities have launched crowdfunding efforts, while the NFL Players Association announced a special fund to support families affected by natural disasters — beginning with Alaska.
On social media, the hashtag #PrayForAlaska has been joined by a new one: #BoLieves, a play on Nix’s name that fans are using to spread messages of hope and unity.
A Final Message of Hope
Even as images of flooded towns and destroyed homes continue to emerge, one thing has become clear: tragedy often brings out the best in people. From first responders battling freezing winds to athletes lending a helping hand, compassion is proving stronger than any storm.
“Even though this storm began halfway around the world, its impact is being felt right here at home,” Nix said. “Let’s stand together for Alaska — and for every community that needs rebuilding.”
Alaska may be hurting tonight — but thanks to people like Bo Nix and countless volunteers across the country, it is not alone.
The road to recovery will be long, but the light of kindness, once sparked, has already begun to guide the way forward.
