Rare storm hits Alaska

The US Weather Service said on Saturday that a rare storm hit western Alaska, causing huge waves and flooding that engulfed homes.

“The remnants of Hurricane Merbock will hit western Alaska… over the weekend with strong waves and gale-force winds,” the meteorologist wrote on Twitter, adding that “flooding intensity will increase.”

“This is without a doubt the most intense storm we’ve seen in early autumn in the Bering Sea in 50 years,” University of Alaska climate expert Rick Toman told AFP.

In the coastal community of Golovin, “a school is surrounded by water, houses are overflowing with water, and at least two houses are floating,” municipal services in Fairbanks, Alaska’s second largest city, said.

Photos posted on social media show extensive damage. CNN released a video clip showing the house floating down the river before getting stuck under a bridge. Winds up to 145 km/h have been recorded, according to the US Meteorological Service, expecting stronger winds.

Source: AP

Related Stories

Leave a Reply