CNN –
Flooding and damaging winds begin to affect parts of Alaska’s west coast early Saturday as a strong storm threatens the region over the weekend.
The remnants of Typhoon Merbok could cause the state’s strongest storm in more than a decade, forecasters say.
Weather and local authorities have urged residents to prepare for the dangerous storm, which already reported hurricane-force wind gusts and waves of more than 50 feet in the Bering Sea on Friday morning.
“As we receive more reports, we cannot stress this enough. PLEASE do not go near any flooded areas. Remember, turn around, don’t drown. It only takes 6 inches to sweep you off your feet,” the Service warned Fairbanks National Weather Service.
The storm generally has sustained winds of 40 to 60 mph, with gusts to 90 mph, according to the weather service. Water levels may reach 12 to 18 feet above normal in some bays, with widespread areas 3 to 10 feet above normal.
And that’s why weather officials have advised caution as the storm looks to overwhelm critical infrastructure and wash away roads.
This storm is so big that it will take about 3 hours for the sun to completely set. pic.twitter.com/uZCZ3Lxu0j
— NWS Alaska Region (@NWSAlaska) September 17, 2022
By Friday night, water levels in the town of Golovin were rising rapidly, the Fairbanks weather service said.
“The water continues to rise and will continue to rise throughout the night. Significant impacts are likely to continue. Stay safe,” the weather service said.
The water could take 10 to 14 hours to recede, causing flooding to continue overnight Saturday, the weather service warned.
According to the weather service, the storm has prompted multiple extreme weather warnings for coastal flooding, strong winds and air due to threats of severe low-level turbulence in western Alaska.
Coastal flood watches have also been issued for all coasts along the west coast of Alaska, just north of the Arctic Circle through the coast of the Kuskokwim Delta.
“Strong winds and coastal flooding will continue to increase Saturday afternoon local time. Peak winds are likely to occur overnight Saturday morning, as well as the worst coastal flooding,” said CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam.
Saturday evening, water levels in Unalakleet, Shaktoolik and Golovin are expected to reach at least 10 feet above high tide and winds up to 50 mph with gusts up to 90 mph, the service said meteorological
Other areas such as Shishmaref, Wales and Kivalina could see water reach at least 5 feet or more this weekend.
In Nome, where water could reach 11 feet above high tide Saturday, officials have opened a recreation center as an emergency shelter and urged its more than 10,000 residents to be prepared.
The Nome, Norton Sound station is reporting water levels of 8.22 feet above the normal high tide line, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“Port users should secure boats and ships in the harbor and at Belmont Point. Please check your lines and equipment regularly to prevent loss,” the city of Nome said on its Facebook page.
Nome, with more than 9,800 people in the area, is also reporting street closures on River Street, “F” Street and Seppala Drive.
Meanwhile, the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said local agencies are aware of the storm and were preparing to respond.
In 2011, Alaska endured a storm system that left behind a wide swath of destruction. Like Merbok, the 2011 storm was an extratropical storm. This storm or cyclone has cold air at its core, unlike a tropical storm or cyclone which has a warm core. Both can cause significant damage from strong winds, heavy rain and storm surge.
While most areas will see about 1 inch of rain from this storm, some could see as much as 3 inches over the weekend.
Even if Anchorage, more than 500 miles from Nome, picks up 1 to 2 inches of precipitation from this storm, this year will climb into the five wettest years on record. The Anchorage weather service said winds peaked at 65 to 75 mph Friday night in the Kuskokwim Delta.