Storm hits western, northern Alaska; weather service warns of flooding

Cold Kotzebue: "Winds gusting to 60 mph and these guys are up in the bucket truck fixing wires," reports Kotzebue blog Keeping it Real at 66 Degrees North Latitude. Thanks to Cathy Jones for the photo.

A winter storm has hit much of western and northern Alaska, with the National Weather Service today warning of potential major coastal flooding in Eastern Norton Sound.

Unalakleet and Shaktoolik could see flooding this evening, said Stephen Kearney, a meteorologist intern for the Weather Service in Fairbanks. “Sea levels are expected to rise 8 to 9 feet above normal late this afternoon through much of tomorrow.”

I just called the village corporation in Shaktoolik -- population 223 on the east shore of Norton Sound -- where some residents have started to board up windows on the ocean-side of the village, said Clarence Katchatag.

The village is holding a meeting to talk about potential evacuation now, he said, but the community has seen these storms before.

Water was rising fast in Unalakleet as of 3 p.m., said city administrator Herb Ivanoff.

“We’ve moved some food and stuff to the clinic area in case we need to start moving people here after a bit," he said.

The storm comes as sea ice has barely started to form, meaning the storm could push young ice onto shore threatening structures, according to the Weather Service. Residents in areas such as Emmonak, Wales and Savoonga are being urged to move belongings away from the coast.

“Because it’s happening so early and there’s a lot of open water out there, then coastal flooding starts to be a big hazard,” Kearney said. “It’s a lot of things to watch for. It’s definitely keeping us busy here today.”

Note: Readers, if you have any storm photos to share, please send me an e-mail at khopkins@adn.com.

The storm started yesterday in areas such as Nome and the Bering Sea region and worked its way inland this morning, Kearney said.

Kotzebue has seen blizzard conditions for the past several hours, he said.

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm and coastal flooding warnings across the state today.

Among the Weather Service warnings issued today ...

A coastal flood warning is in effect until 6 p.m. tomorrow for:
-- St. Lawrence Island and Bering Strait Coast, including Gambell, Savoonga, Brevig Mission, Teller, Wales, Diomede.
“The high water and high waves could push sea ice on shore. Wave-driven sea ice can cause great damage to structures. Anything that can be moved from the coast should be moved now,” the Weather Service says.

-- Yukon Delta – including Emmonak, Mountain Village, Alaskanuk, Kotlik, Pilot Station, St. Mary’s, Nunam Iqua.
“Anything that can be moved away from the coast should be moved now,” the Weather Service says. “Snow and blizzard conditions will accompany his storm today and tonight.”

A coastal flood watch is in effect through Thursday afternoon in:
-- The Chukchi Sea Coast, including Point Hope, Shishmaref, Kivalina, Espenberg.
“Tides are expected to be 1 to 2 feet above normal this afternoon through Thursday. Coastal flooding in low-lying areas and coastal erosion will be possible tonight and Thursday …”

Winter storm warning until 6 a.m. Thursday:
-- Lower Kobuk and Noatak Valleys, including Noatak, Kiana, Red Dog Mine.
“Strong winds and areas of blizzard conditions are expected today and tonight.”

-- Lower Koyukuk and Middle Yukon Valleys, including Galena, Nulato, Huslia, Kaltag …
Snowfall of 6 to 10 inches is expected through tonight.

-- Lower Yukon Valley, including Marshall, Russian Mission, Holy Cross, Grayling …
“Snowfall of 5 to 8 inches is expected through tonight.”