KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Strong winds knock out power, prompt air quality advisory
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Air quality suffered as a result of the high wind. (Mike Nederbrock/KTUU-DT)
Flags around town were whipping in the wind. (Mike Nederbrock/KTUU-DT)
The Denali Project sign fell victim to the high winds. (Mike Nederbrock/KTUU-DT)by Lori Tipton
Friday, October 30, 2009
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Anchorage residents with health problems are being urged to stay inside Friday after gusty winds caused very dusty conditions.
All day, strong winds kicked up dust from the Matanuska River's drainage and carried it into Anchorage and Eagle River. Anchorage issued an air quality advisory and urged the elderly, as well as those with existing heart or lung disease to stay indoors.
"Particularly those that are in sensitive groups like asthmatics or maybe those that might have emphysema, that they should take it easy," said municipal air quality program manager Steve Morris. "They should avoid areas that are very dusty, and those tend to be areas along major thoroughfares."
Some homes throughout Southcentral Alaska have suffered wind damage and power outages. The Matanuska Electric Association in the Valley says between 700 and 1,000 customers lost power Thursday afternoon. Only a handful of homes are still without power.
According to Chugach Electric, about 200 customers on Spenard Road and Northern Lights Boulevard lost power earlier Friday. Numerous power outages struck the Homer Electric Association, but crews there did restore power this morning.
The National Weather Service predicts strong winds with gusts up to 50 miles per hour for the next few days.
Contact Lori Tipton at ltipton@ktuu.com
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