Alaska Bering Sea Storm: Historic Storm Causing Widespread Fear and Damages
Residents in Nome, Alaska were forced to evacuate Wednesday due to a storm expected to bring one of the worst Bering Sea storms in history.
The National Weather Service released a statement, explaining the magnitude of the storm.
"Alaska west coast to be hit by one of the most severe Bering Sea storms on record," said the National Weather Service in a bulletin. "This will be an extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm of an epic magnitude rarely experienced."
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The National Weather Service said the storm could bring coastal floods and blizzards. The storm began at 3 a.m. Wednesday, and was located 100 miles from St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea.
Much of western Alaska is put on alert, including the Seward Peninsula near Nome that was hit with 70 mph blizzard winds and a coastal storm surge. The storm is causing major damage, as much of the state attempts to take precautions and evacuate affected areas.
"We do have some reports of buildings losing roofs in the Nome area," Berg said. "Also water at the base of buildings in Nome,” said Scott Berg, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
Jeff Osiensky, a regional meteorologist from the Anchorage National Weather Service, spoke about the seriousness of the storm: "We really need to be careful with this storm. It is a very serious-type condition.”
"Aircraft will not be flying in the weather we're expecting to get in the next 24 to 48 hours," said Bryan Fisher, chief of operations from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Fisher explained the timing of the storm increases the chance of harm, because there is not enough ice to buffer the impact.
"Unfortunately the timing of the year is such that the sea ice is not there which causes a potential for greater damage," Fisher added. “We’re going to be prepared to respond to whatever that eventuality is, if that ends up being the case.”
As soon as the storm lets up, Fisher said Homeland Security would survey the damage and act appropriately. In the meantime, villages in the state are equipped with storm shelters for residents who need to evacuate.
