Evacuation order issued with ‘epic’ 100-mph storm expected to hit Alaska

MSNBC
November 9, 2011

‘This will be an extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm,’ National Weather Service says

An “epic” storm is bearing down on western Alaska, the National Weather Service said, warning that it could be one of the worst on record for the state.

The city of Nome, one of the largest in western Alaska with 3,600 residents, issued an evacuation order late Tuesday with the storm, moving inland from the Aleutian Islands, expected to bring hurricane-force winds with gusts up to 100 miles per hour.

Heavy snowfall, widespread coastal flooding and severe erosion is also expected along most of Alaska’s west coast, the National Weather Service said.

The storm caused a dramatic rise in sea levels, an upsurge of more than 3 feet, National Weather Service meteorologist Stephen Kearney in Fairbanks said.

Officials have said the water is expected to rise another 7 feet overnight. Reports of heavy flooding are expected Wednesday morning, Kearney said.

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(hat tip: Drudge Report)