Second fall storm hits western Alaska

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - As communities in Western Alaska continue to recover from the heavy storms and flooding that hit the area, another weather event is making itself known.

Starting Wednesday, October 6, a storm pattern from Russia began to reach the island of Wrangell and the Chukchi sea, bringing storm surges.

Winds up to 90 miles per hour hit Cape Lisburne that night, and water levels are starting to rise.

The National Weather Service is advising those in the affected area to stay in their safe spaces and monitor conditions.

A small amount of damage has been reported so far.

Jonathan Chriest, Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fairbanks, explained, “We have reports of water over the old runway at Golovin. We also have a report that the roof on the NANA building at Kivalina was damaged, and we have reports of a roof at Point Lay being damaged.”

He said, “The highest water for this storm is going to mainly be from tonight through tomorrow evening. However, we’re still expecting the water to stay high through the day on Saturday.”

The storm is expected to last two more days, and weaken as it makes its way further north toward the arctic.

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