The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for Anchorage and areas of Turnagain Arm effective late Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon, as storm conditions continue to prevail in the region.
According to a watch statement -- which warns of possible rather than forecasted conditions -- issued by the NWS Tuesday afternoon, East Anchorage as well as the Hillside, Eagle River and Indian could see winds from 30 to 45 mph, with possible gusts to 65 mph. Southeast winds along Turnagain Arm and higher elevations may reach 45 to 65 mph, with possible gusts to 100 mph.
“Potentially damaging winds are expected to develop late Tuesday night and continue through the early afternoon hours Wednesday,” forecasters wrote. “Winds should diminish by late Wednesday afternoon.”
A second high wind watch says Whittier, Seward, Girdwood and Moose Pass could see winds of 35 to 55 mph during the same time period.
According to Channel 2 chief meteorologist Jackie Purcell, a high-pressure system to the east of the region is creating a blocking pattern for storms that would head east, instead forcing them to turn north and pass over Southcentral Alaska. She expects the conditions to persist over the next several days.
The latest information could point to a third round of weather anxiety for the Anchorage area this month, following a Sept. 4 windstorm that knocked out power to thousands of utility customers, some for nearly a week. A second storm also produced high winds over the weekend, but ultimately produced more rain than wind.
Channel 2 has gathered some helpful information about reporting power outages, as well as Facebook pages for the city’s Office of Emergency Management and area power utilities.
TO REPORT A POWER OUTAGE:
CHUGACH ELECTRIC: 762-7888 (in Anchorage), 800-478-7494 (outside Anchorage)
ML&P: 279-7671
MEA: 696-7697
If you need immediate sheltering assistance, please call the American Red Cross of Alaska at 646-5401.
Damage reports may be filed online at the Anchorage Office of Emergency Management’s website, or you may call OEM at 343-1401 during normal business hours if you do not have access to a computer.
Facebook Pages:
US National Weather Service Alaska:
http://www.facebook.com/US.NationalWeatherService.Alaska.gov
Anchorage Office of Emergency Management:
http://www.facebook.com/AnchorageOEM
Municipal Light & Power (ML&P):
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Municipal-Light-Power/195622507137163?ref=ts
Chugach Electric:
http://www.facebook.com/ChugachElectric
(CE "Chugach’s Facebook page is not a place to report outages.")
Matanuska Electric Association (MEA):
http://www.facebook.com/matanuska.electric
Contact Chris Klint
