Power Outage in Naknek, AK

Koliganek recorded winds of 39G52 mph and heavy snow with 1/4 sm visibility. Platinum and Cape Newenham airports reported frequent low visibilities of 1/2SM or less with winds to 35-53 mph in combination with moderate to heavy snow for a span of 12 hours. Similar conditions were recorded at Dillingham. Due to these conditions, power was knocked out, trees were toppled and phone service was cut off for about a week:https://www.kdlg.org/energy/2021-12-13/power-restored-to-nushagak-cooperatives-service-area-after-nearly-a-week-of-repairs.

A strong upper-level trough originating in the Arctic dove southwestward across Southcentral Alaska on the evening of December 22 through December 23, bringing a reinforcing shot of cold, dense Arctic air into an already cold environment. This combined with a pre-existing strong pressure gradient between strong surface high pressure in Interior Alaska and low pressure over the Gulf of Alaska to produce strong winds through gaps and passes across southern mainland Alaska. Blizzard conditions were seen in the Matanuska Valley, where 65 to 83 mph winds lofted snow and reduced visibility. Winds knocked out power to 7000 residents in the Matanuska Valley and the Anchorage Bowl. Blowing and drifting snow, as well as wind chills as low as 55 degrees below zero were also observed in other portions of Southcentral Alaska.||The trough closed off into a low pressure system aloft late on December 23 as it began to track westward across Southwest Alaska and into the Eastern Bering Sea, allowing conditions to gradually improve over Southcentral Alaska. The upper level low began to interact with a weak surface low crossing the Alaska Peninsula into Bristol Bay on December 24, dropping snow in both regions. Combined with gusty winds, blowing snow affected portions of Bristol Bay and the Pribilof Islands on the evening of December 24 into the morning of December 25 as the system continued into the eastern Bering Sea. Active weather diminished as the low tracked further west into the Bering Sea over the following days.

An intense Bering Sea Storm and a subsequent associated storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions across the Bristol Bay region to the Kuskokwim Delta and high wind and blizzard conditions in Anchorage, heavy snow in the Susitna Valley and Blizzard Conditions in Thompson Pass. High wind blew thorugh Cordova downing some trees. The high wind in Anchorage resulting in numerous extended power outages. The heavy snow that followed warmer wet conditions resulted in extremely dangerous travel conditions necessitating closing of the Anchorage School district.

Two powerful north Pacific storms moved across the eastern Aleutians beginning December 4th continuing through December 7th. The storms produced winds of 125 mph across the eastern Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula and to 70 to 85 mph across the Bristol Bay area and to around 75 mph in the Pribilof Islands. Extensive damage was reported in the community of Unalaska and Dutch Harbor and significant damage was reported in King Cove and in the communities of St Paul and St George. The APL crane in Dutch Harbor was toppled by the extreme wind.

An intense north Pacific storm moved to the central Aleutians with a secondary storm center south of the Alaska Peninsula. High Wind swept through southwest and south central Alaska and along the central Aleutians and Alaska Peninsula. Snow over the central Aleutians combined with the wind resulted in a Blizzard for that region. Wide spread power outages plagued the Kuskokwim Delat with this storm along with roofs being blown off two houses, two housed shifted on their foundation and minor tidal overflow along Kuskokwim Bay. Unconfirmed wind gusts were reported to 127 mph at Sand Point on the Alaska Peninsula with this storm.

The first major fall storm of the season hit the Bering Sea Coast the morning of August 23rd. This storm had two major impacts. Ahead of the associated front, strong wind whipped through south central Alaska. Behind the front, a high swell and sea was pushed into the Bristol Bay coasts coincident to one of the highest astronomical high tides of August. This resulted in a coastal storm surge approximately 2-3 feet above the maximum spring tide which caused significant flooding along lower lying villages of the Bristol Bay coast. Reports were received from Clark's Point that 4 homes were flooded by the surge, heavy equipment was swamped and the airstrip was under water. A family had to be evacuated when waves hit the old clinic and the community center, threatening to collapse the building. The whole lower village flooded. A dock at Clark's Point belonging to Trident Fisheries was destroyed. The dock at Ekuk, 2 miles south of Clark's Point, is "gone". The Harbor at Dillingham was "beat up", several boats were ripped loose and adrift in the harbor, and one automobile was shoved into the harbor by rolling waves. At Togiak the seawall held back the surge, but lost all its back fill and will have to be repaired. One fishing boat was ripped from its anchor onto the beach where its windows were smashed and its engine was filled with water. On the Naknek river a dock owned by Emily Untalan was destroyed and her 18 foot skiff was washed away. The strong winds mainly affected the Anchorage area. Numerous power outages occurred due to strong winds knocking trees down on power lines. Shingles were ripped from roofs. Portable shelters were blown around and mangled by this unseasonable early strong wind event.

A strong low, remnants of an old tropical weather system (with help from typhoon "Wutip"), re-developed near Adak midday Monday along an old front. The low then moved between Saint Matthew Island and Nunivak Island early Tuesday. Gale force southwesterly winds were observed along the south side of the low. Coastal flooding potential was highlighted during periods of high tide as early as Tuesday and Wednesday.Water reached close to vegetation line along parts of the southwest Alaska Coast. Reports from a pilot, relayed from the King Salmon Weather Service Office, indicated "...evidence of beach erosion around the Kvichak Bay area...".Damage in both areas was relatively minor...involving several swamped boats and minor damage to boat electrical systems and engines. Tug "Mercury" was lost in heavy weather in Bristol Bay. The 130' barge it towed was intentionally grounded on soft sand/gravel beach at Cape Menshikof. No debris or sheen from tug reported, however a life raft was sighted in area.Coast Guard Sitrep read...TUG MERCURY T.O.W AND 130-FOOT BARGE ADRIFT -94 NM SOUTHWEST OF KING SALMONMSO Anchorage: The Tug Mercury and barge in tow were en route Seward from Naknek and encountered heavy weather. The Tug had to release the barge in the vicinity of Ugashik Bay. The barge had approximately 2000 gallons of diesel fuel on board in portable storage tanks strapped down on top of the barge. Tug lost power due to flooding and vessel crew had to be rescued via Coast Guard helicopter. Pen Air located the adrift barge 1.5 NM off the Cinder River (a critical habitat area). A C-130 over flew to the last known position of the Tug Mercury and did not see any signs of the vessel or any signs of pollution. The Tug Mercury is reported to have 400-500 gallons of diesel aboard. The owner is making arrangements to recover the barge in the morning. MSO Anchorage is investigating the case.Later SITREPs indicate the tug was presumed to have sunk.