Winter Storm and High Wind in Alaska, December 21 to 22, 2001

A strong 978 mb low 600 miles south of the Kenai Peninsula Friday morning, intensified to 970 mbs and moved across Homer early Saturday, weakening north northwest into the Alaskan interior thereafter.Heavy snows along south and southeast exposures, along with strong east and southeast winds, preceded the front associated with the storm.Homer Electric reported several thousand homes across the Kenai Peninsula cut off from electric power Friday night and Saturday. By Monday evening, with temperatures close to zero, pipes in some homes were in danger of freezing. According to utility officials and several residents..."it was the worst combination of extensive outages and cold weather in recent memory".Around the Kachemak Bay and southeast Cook Inlet area, the winds and heavy snow knocked down hundreds of trees...taking power lines down with them. Ten workers from Chugach Electric Association were dispatched to help 16 Homer Electric Association lineman repair the lines Saturday. Major problems were reported along North Fork Road near Anchor Point, with homes near Soldotna and Seldovia also affected.Six days later, an emergency shelter was set up by the American Red Cross at the Homer Middle School to help about 16 people. On Thursday, about 150 homes were still without power, mostly those on the North Fork Road between Homer and Anchor Point. It was also reported that about a dozen or so families had been staying at Homer motels, courtesy of the Red Cross. Along the North Fork Road, powerful winds tore a roof off a deck and peeled back the metal roofing from the home.Event maxima...125 - Seward ASOS peak southeast 67 mph 2:53 am AST Sat. Alyeska peak 88 mph Max's Mountain 0200 AST Sat. Portage ASOS peak 82 mph 1:53 am to 2:37 am AST Sat.131 - Valdez reported peak east wind 31 mph 1:00 am AST Sat...indicating stronger winds in Thompson Pass. Heavy snow was reported in Thompson Pass (17 inches).121 - "Winds up to 80 mph" reported by Joe Gallagher of Homer Electric Association.