STATE OF ALASKA
DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT 04-359 (as of 11:00 AM December 24, 2004) Homeland Security Advisory System – Alaska Level: Yellow-Elevated State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management State Emergency Coordination Center Preparedness Level: 2-An Event Has Occurred State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Military installations in Alaska are at FPCON A. State of Alaska Cyber Security Alert Level: Guarded State of Alaska Cyber Security State of Alaska Situation
Winter Storm WarningsThe National Weather Service in Fairbanks has issued the following: A strong weather front in the Bering Sea will move to the west coast of Alaska Friday night into the western interior on Christmas day. This front will bring strong winds, heavy snow and blizzard conditions to much of the west coast of Alaska starting tonight. St Lawrence Island and Bering Strait Coast including Gambell, Savoonga, Brevig Mission, Teller, Wales and Diomede. Winter storm warning is in effect from 5pm today through Saturday morning. Strong winds and blizzard conditions will develop at St Lawrence Island by late this afternoon and spread to the Bering Strait later this evening. South winds 30 to 50 mph are expected. The winds and blizzard conditions should diminish starting Saturday morning. Denali including Healy, Denali National Park, Carlo Creek, and Kantishna. Winter storm warning in passes remains in effect until 4 pm Friday. Snow has taper off but north winds of 25 to 40 mph continue to produce local blizzard conditions through passes. Winds will slowly decrease this afternoon and visibilities will improve bringing and end to the winter weather danger. Eastern Alaska Range including Black Rapids, Donnelly Dome, Trims Camp, Eagle Trail and Mineral Lake. Winter storm warning in passes remains in effect until 4 pm Friday. Snow will end this afternoon with total accumulation of six inches. North winds 25 to 40 mph will continue to produce local blizzard conditions through the passes. Winds will slowly decrease late this afternoon and this evening and visibilities will improve bringing and end to the winter weather danger. High Wind Warning The National Weather Service in Anchorage has issued the following: Western Prince William Sound including Whittier, Seward, Girdwood and Moose Pass. Continue high wind warning for areas near Seward through tonight. North wind 35 to 55 mph gusting to 75 mph at times will continue for Seward and over Resurrection Bay. These winds are expected to continue through the early morning hours on Christmas before diminishing below warning levels. Northeast Prince William Sound including Valdez and Thompson Pass. Continue high wind warning for northeast Prince William Sound through tonight. North wind will continue to increase over the Valdez area this morning. Look for winds to increase out of the north to 30 to 50 mph gusting to 75 mph this afternoon in the town of Valdez. North winds 45 to 55 mph gusting to 85 mph will continue in Thompson Pass through tonight. Blowing and drifting snow will accompany the winds through tonight making for hazardous traveling conditions throughout the Valdez area. Winds will begin to diminishing late tonight into early Christmas morning. Southeast Prince William Sound including Cordova. Continue high wind warning through tonight for the Copper River Delta. Northeast winds 50 to 70 mph gusting to 90 mph will continue through tonight. Winds will begin to diminish late tonight into early Christmas morning with improving conditions on Christmas day for the region. Kodiak Island including Kodiak City. Continue high wind warning through this evening. Strong northwest wind 30 to 45 mph gusting to 80 mph will continue this evening. Wind will be diminishing by midnight to northwest 20 to 40 mph with gusts to 55 mph. The winds will continue to diminish into early Christmas morning. The National Weather Service in Juneau has issued high wind warning for the interior passes and river valleys for Friday night through Saturday. Northeast winds to 80 mph occurring the Alsek Pass, river valleys and other passes which connect to Canada. Blizzard Warning Susitna Valley including Talkeetna, Willow and Cantwell. Continue blizzard warning north of Talkeetna through tonight. Dangerous winter conditions are occurring north of Talkeetna. Strong winds and blowing snow will continue to reduce visibility frequently below ¼ mile north of Talkeetna along the Parks Highway. North wind will continue at 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 80 mph north of Talkeetna, wind chill readings will fall to 30 to 50 below at times. Conditions will improve late tonight and into early Christmas morning for the region. Travel Advisory The department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Maintenance and Operations has issued the following travel advisory: Parks HIGHWAY at/or near Milepost 216: The Parks Highway is closed at Milepost 216 due to an avalanche. The roadway will be cleared today, 24 December. It is not known how long this closure will be, motorists are advised not to travel at this time. Updates will be issued as conditions change and/or more information is received. Richardson/Alaska Highway at or near Tok Cutoff. The following have occurred: High winds, blowing and drifting snow the entire length of the Alaska Highway, Tok Cutoff and Richardson Highway. Ice under the snow on the Richardson Hwy between Donnelly Dome and Paxson. Watch for avalanches along the Richardson Hwy south of Delta. Use extreme caution while traveling. This condition is expected through the weekend. The avalanche control work between Milepost 27 and Milepost 42 has concluded. As current weather conditions are still heavy at times, caution is still advised while traveling through the area. For more information on road conditions, you may call the following: Steese Highway Road Conditions Call: 907 451-5204 Southcentral Road Conditions Call: 511 Canadian Road Conditions Call: 1 867 456-7623 Statewide Road Conditions Call: 511 Statewide Winter Road Conditions Are Available On The Internet At: http://511.alaska.gov/ The Next Situation Report: will be published as of 11:00 AM, December 25, 2004. A significant change in the situation or the threat level will prompt an interim report. Direct questions regarding this report to Wayne Rush at 907-428-7032 or wayne_rush@ak-prepared.com. How to reach the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: Phone the State Emergency Coordination Center (SECC) by dialing (907) 428-7100 or 1-888-462-7100, 24 hours per day. Information on emergency topics is available on the Division's web site at http://www.ak-prepared.com. Homeland Security information may be found at http://www.ak-prepared.com/homelandsecurity/. How to reach the Division of Administration –State Cyber Security Program: If you have questions you may contact Darrell Davis, State Computer Security Officer, at darrel_davis@admin.state.ak.us. For further information: Being prepared: Ready.gov Countries: U.S. State Department Background Notes. Maps: United Nations Cartographic Section Terrorist Groups: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/20119.pdf Background Information on Other Terrorist Groups. Hyperlink: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/20120.pdf |