Storm Surge and High Wind in Alaska, November 12 to 13, 2000

Another strong low moved northeast out of the Pacific, crossing Adak at 9 am Sunday with a depth of 951 mbs. The low then moved into the southeast Bering Sea early Monday, finally weakening to a 967 mb center just south of Saint Lawrence Island early Tuesday. Strong southwesterly winds were observed along the back side of the easily 'hurricane force' storm. Gusts of 76 mph were recorded at both Adak and Atka on the back side of this storm Sunday.The front associated with the storm was preceded by very strong south and southeast winds across the Aleutians, the Pribilofs and the Alaska Peninsula Sunday. The front moved to a position from Nunivak Island to just southwest of Chignik late Sunday. By 3 pm Monday, the front had weakened...extending in a broad arc from Norton Sound to near Homer...but still preceded by strong southeast winds in exposed areas. By early Tuesday, the front no longer posed a wind threat , extending from the Alcan border of the State into the eastern Gulf of Alaska.Initially, the front was also accompanied by heavy rains. Even by Alaskan standards, these rains were impressive, leaving close to 4 inches around Cold Bay in a 24 hour period. Classic urban drainage and small stream flooding was reported in this tiny western Alaska Peninsula community of less than 100 people.Pictures taken for the Anchorage Daily News showed pumps at work in the Dutch Harbor/Unalaska area. Heavy rains there left high water in low lying places of this normally 'very weather savvy' Aleutian community. Late reports from the Dutch Harbor Fisherman, also revealed that the Pyramid Creek bridge, which spans Captain's Bay Road, was washed away when heavy rains brought floodwaters to the area. The '...washout was violent and almost instantaneous' said Dave Kemp, the public works director. At 8:10 am Friday, Kemp received a call that Pyrmaid Creek was nearing flood stage. When he arrived at the scene at 8:17 am, the bridge had been deposited into Captain's Bay. In addition to halting the ability to move container trucks into Unalaska, power was interrupted at Crowley Marine Services. Southerly winds just ahead of the front peaked at 122 mph at the Dutch Harbor Spit (as recorded on the 5:30 am Sunday observation). Along the Alaska Peninsula, although peak winds only reached 67 mph at the Cold Bay ASOS. Stronger winds, gusting around 100 mph, at King Cove produced considerable damage and several injuries due to flying debris. Peak winds around Bristol Bay locally reached as high as 63 mph. Wind gusts were channeled by terrain in the Matanuska Valley, where easterly gusts reached 73 mph at the Wasilla Fire Station Monday ahead of the front. Gusts at the Portage ASOS reached 80 mph around noon Monday. Prefrontal winds at the Prince William Sound Science Center reached 62 mph late Monday. Winds at the abandoned old Nike missile site near the Alpenglow Ski area (3900+ ft asl) gusted as high as 128 mph at 6pm Monday, diminishing rapidly with frontal passage just prior to 11 pm. Across the Pribilofs, pre-frontal winds reached 60 mph just after 10 am Sunday. Strongest winds, however, were on the back side of the low with gusts peaking at 71 mph in the early afternoon. Winds diminished below 60 mph by 7pm Monday. Although wind gusts remained below 60 mph along the Kuskokwim Delta, a prolonged south and southwest fetch of strong winds brought high water to many coastal communities. Coastal flooding caused significant damage Monday to several locations. The onset of this coastal flooding coincided with very high tides.This article appeared in the Situation report from the Alaska Division of Emergency Services...."Kuskokwim Bay Storm DamageRecent storms with very high winds and tidal surges in the Kuskokwim Bay area caused damage in several communities. Kwigilligok has major damage to the boardwalk and bridges that connect the village. Kipnuk has boardwalk damage especially to the sanitary system dump. Possible minor fuel spill at the tank farm. Personal property damage such as wet insulation in 6 homes, water damage in 2 homes and flooded freezers. Kongiganak has minor damage to the boardwalk and bridges in village. Tuntutuliak has minor damage to boardwalk and bridges and some personal property damage. The affected communities are compiling lists of the known damage and will forward them to DES by November 27th. "