Alaska's most populous city is still recovering from hurricane-force winds that devastated homes and infrastructure on Sunday, leaving thousands without power and causing significant damage.
At the peak of the storm in the Anchorage area on Sunday, about 17,500 homes were without power, but by Tuesday morning that number had fallen to fewer than 2,000.
“We are aware that some of our members are without power for an extended period of time,” Chugach Electric said in a social media update. “Our crews will continue to work as safely and quickly as possible until everyone is back on their feet.”
The abnormal weather had a serious impact on the entire city.
In addition to widespread power outages, the storm toppled trees, closed schools and partially collapsed the Rabbit Creek pedestrian bridge along Seward Highway.
of Anchorage National Weather Service Wind gusts were reported to reach an astonishing 199 mph at Sunburst Ridgetop. weather observatory On the ridge of Turnagain Pass.
Anchorage residents like Raven McCormack experienced the storm's ferocity firsthand.
“The house is shaking” She shared on Facebook along with a video of the storm..
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities told FOX Weather that high winds are suspected to be the primary cause of damage to the Rabbit Creek Pedestrian Bridge along Seward Highway.
Officials said the bridge's steel frame remained intact, but the roof and surrounding fence collapsed onto the highway below.
The highway has since reopened and bridge engineers are closely monitoring the situation.
Schools in Anchorage remained closed Monday, with some closures reported in other parts of southcentral Alaska.
“While our staff are working through the night, we still have schools without power, dangerous and unsafe parking due to extremely slippery conditions, and maintenance issues within the schools that must be addressed.” Anchorage School District he said Monday morning.
The Anchorage Fire Department responded to more than 200 wind-related calls Sunday, dispatching at least one fire engine or other equipment to each incident.
In total, the department responded to nearly 500 calls, nearly double the number of calls it normally receives in a day, the department said. Anchorage Daily News.
The storm also disrupted air travel.
The newspaper added that more than a dozen flights were diverted from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to Fairbanks on Sunday due to strong winds, including two Alaska Airlines flights and one Delta flight. .
This included nine cargo planes and one military plane.
