One of the most significant airlifts in Alaska history was underway Wednesday to move hundreds of people from coastal villages ravaged by high surf and strong winds from the remnants of Typhoon Halong last weekend, officials said.

The storm brought record water levels to two low-lying communities and washed away homes — some with people inside. Makeshift shelters were quickly established and swelled to about 1,500 people, an extraordinary number in a sparsely populated region where communities are reachable by air or water.

Jeremy Zidek, a spokesperson for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, told CBS News by phone that one person was rescued and two remained missing after a home was washed out to sea.

"There were homes washed out to sea, and unfortunat

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