Blizzard warning, high winds lead to massive power outages, road closures

December 24-3:30 pm-The National Weather Service has issued a special weather advisory as strong winds are expected through Monday morning for the Matanuska Valley. Strong winds will continue from Palmer towards Wasilla,with occasional wind gusts of 50 to 60 mphare expected tocontinue Saturday night, then tapering off overnight with gusts of 30 mph possible.

The winds are expected to intensify Sunday mid-day into early evening, again with gusts of 50 to 60 mph possible. People are encouraged to take steps to protect their property, as well expect continued challenging driving conditions when the winds pick up. Some areas may continue to see blowing snow but that should not impact visibility.

12:00 pm-While the blizzard warning has expired, folks are still experincing sporadic wind gusts and plows areworking to help dig people outfrom snow drifts that built upfrom the blowing snow Friday.

Traveling on some Mat-Su roads continues to be hazardous due to large snowdrifts. Please be careful when traveling and consider delaying your travel giving time for road crews to safely clear roadways.

The Wasilla Police Department reports that both directions of travel on the Parks Highway has been opened, but asking that travelers please use the inside or #1 lane going northbound as it is furthest from the forming drifts. DOT is in the area. Drivers should yield to the plow truck.

Meanwhile, MEA reports that there are still 77 separate outages to restore and little over 1,300 members still without power, down from the nearly 20,000 members that experieinced outages Friday. MEA warned that some may remain without power through Christmas

"We have some crews that had to go on rest and more crews coming in this afternoon. We have reached out to our neighboring utilities to see if they have any crews available to come assist. We hope to make progress throughout the day with the wind dying down and the daylight advantage. With that being said, there may be folks that are still out through tomorrow (Christmas Day)."

Please take the appropriate steps to get to warm shelter and a safe place

8:00 pm-The blizzard warning issued by the National Weather Service has been extended until Saturday, December 24. It is now set to expire at 9:00 am.

Winds are expected to diminish this evening before dropping off significantly later Saturday. If people needto travel, be advised to check road conditions before doing so.

Roads throughout Wasilla and Palmer remain closed due to snow drifts from the high winds, as well as vehicles being stuck in ditches or on top of drifts. The conditions have been making it tough on first responders, tow trucks,and others to reach stranded vehicles and other calls.

The Wasilla Police Department is still urging anyone who can, stay home. Conditions became so bad that both lanes of travel on Parks Highway between the Palmer Wasilla Highway and Crusey Street remain closed

"We can’t stress enough that you should NOT be on the roads right now. It’s extremely dangerous outside.

Avoid the area. Very large drifts with multiple vehicles stuck.

No idea when it’ll be completely open, just avoid it for now.

The City of Wasilla has also asked that all aviators check their tie-downs or secure a vehicle in front of the aircraft to block the wind. One plane at the Wasilla Airport has already flipped over.

Original -Just as the Mother Nature ushered in 2022 with an unprecedented windstorm back in January, it seems she is keen on closing out the year with another wind event as Friday, high winds packed a wallop across the lower Matanuska valley as Palmer, Butte, Chickaloon, and Wasilla.

The strong winds are picking up and blowing around whatever snow that has not been “packed down,” greatly reducing road visibilities at times down to 1 mile or less.

Additionally, the high winds will impact temperatures, bringing wind chill values from minus-5 to minus-30 degrees below zero during the day. Forecasts suggest that conditions will slowly improve on Saturday.

Blizzard warning began Thursday evening and remain in effect until 8 p.m. Friday. Winds from the northeast have been gusting over 50 mph in the Wasilla and Palmer areas. The Palmer Municipal Airport reported a 77 mph gust just before 8 a.m.

As expected, there were numerous power outages reported from Point MacKenzie to the Gateway area overlooking the Hayflats, 3700 members experienced outages in Eagle River down into Chugiak, another 2000 members were without power after a transmission ine outage that took out power to the LaZelle substation impacting the Parks Highway/Hyer road area of Wasilla and Palmer.

Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) also reported losing a second section of transmission line serving the areas of Butte Palmer and Sutton, east to Glacierview, leaving nearly 20,000 members without power.

“Crews continue to work to restore power one step at a time. With this many outages, large and small, it will be difficult for us to provide detailed information,” MEA posted on their Facebook page, adding that members who are part of smaller outages of less than 100 people should prepare to be out for an extended period of time.

MEA also reported that phone lines were tied up as many were reporting outages and asked that any new outages be reported utilizing the MEA SmartHub via cell phones or online.

As MEA crews worked to repair and restore power to the substations, power would slowly be restored. “Basically we have to have substations back online before we can repair power downstream. If the "power source" isn't online, making repairs downstream from it will do no good. This is why we focus on these major restorations first. But we can assure you we're doing everything we can to get everyone back on. We know it's cold and the winds outside are very dangerous to many. Thank you for hanging in there.”

Wasilla offices and the Menard were closed ahead of the winds, Palmer reported on social media that several roads were closed as conditions deteriorated, with the Palmer Police Department asking drivers to stay off the roads.

“The list of roads which are becoming impassable is growing. Officers are reporting 15-20 different sections of roads which are drifted over. They’re also handling several calls for service and will provide me exact locations when they can. PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROADS TODAY IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.”

The Alaska State Troopers reiterated the sentiment, asking that all who can, remain home, but if drivers must be out, to pack patience, a shovel and winter weather.

It’s snow for Southeast Alaska today, however. Steady snow has already started to fall across much of the region, with the greatest intensity to occur during the afternoon and evening hours. Warmer air surging northward along the west coast of Canada will change snow over to rain from south to north on Saturday. Additional areas of rain and snow will impact the region on Christmas and into much of next week.

Travel safe, stay warm, and have a very Merry Christmas this weekend.