Story Created:
Oct 10, 2008 at 5:53 PM AKDT
Story Updated:
Oct 10, 2008 at 5:53 PM AKDT
High wind sent 23 Anchorage-bound flights to other airports. Linda Bustamante of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport says severe turbulence and wind shear was reported by a departing
aircraft flight crew at about 8 a.m. Friday. Most diverted flights were sent to Fairbanks. As of 9 a.m., two flights had arrived and their flight crews reported moderate to severe turbulence, indicating that the
situation is improving.
The winds measured as high as 100mph in Bear Valley, toppling trees on power lines and cutting off power to 20,000 Chugach Electric customers. Chugach says it has 10 crews in the area trying to restore power, but it's possible some homes won't have electricity until sometime on Saturday. In the meantime, locals are using their chain saws to cut up the spruce and birch trees that have landed on roads and homes.
