Day 3 of Windstorm-High Wind Warning Extended Until Tuesday

1:00 p.m. Update-Just as everyone was looking forward to the winds dying down today, the National Weather Service has extended the high wind warning until Tuesday, set to expire (hopefully) at 6:00 a.m.

Strong northeast winds currently being felt are expected to diminish around sunset. Areas of blowing snow and dust with reduced visibilities are possible. Winds will reduce to 5 to 20 mph by Tuesday afternoon. Ambient temperatures will likely drop below zero by Wednesday morning, continuing through the week.

The winds were felt as far away as Meadow Lakes, Big Lake, and Houston early this morning, with power being knocked at for several hours to over 1,000 members, according to the MEA Outage Map.

9:00 p.m. Update—As the second day of the windstorm comes to a close, there are several updates to report.

As mentioned earlier, the MSBSD reports that most schools have been cancelled tomorrow, Monday December 8. Regions 1-5 and Region 7, are closed due to the high wind, outages.

Region 6-Talkeetna, Willow, Trapper Creek and Su-Valley-will operate on a normal schedule. Any changes will be updated in the morning.

Residents without power are encouraged to utilize the shelter at the Menard Center in Wasilla.

Matanuska Electronic Association (MEA) updated the latest numbers and as of 6:15 p.m. there are over 15,000 members without power. The windstorm continues wreaking havoc as the MEA linemen make progress only to have other areas report outages.

According to MEA, there are several feeders out, including in the Butte area, which also serves Lazy Mountain, Seldon, Engstrom, to name a few. They are aware and are continuing to work through the night to restore power.

The Palmer/Fishhook area continue to have outages, though the numbers are significantly reduced, with over 1800 members without power. Sutton and Glacier View still has 755 members without power, while several areas along Bogard Road remain impacted as well. There are several small pockets reporting outages from Palmer to Big Lake

Residents in need of a warm place to stay and a place to recharge their phones and themselves are urged to go to the Red Cross shelter at the Menard Sports Complex in Wasilla. It is open for those impacted by the windstorm and recent fires. People needing a place to get warm, charge their phones, grab a shower or stay for the time being are welcome. Service animals are also welcome. The shelter will also allow pets in kennels for shelter residents staying overnight.

The City of Wasilla reports that their offices will be closed on Monday, to ensure the safety of our staff and community. Essential services will remain available, and updates will be provided as conditions change.

For those still struggling with the outages, there are steps residents can take. The National Weather Service advises the following:

-Close the curtains and blinds to keep in some of the heat.

-Close off rooms to avoid wasting heat.

-Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors

-Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.

-Continue to eat and drink. Food provides energy to warm the body. However, avoid caffeine and alcohol.

There are some other safety steps to remember:

-Maintain care with heat sources. Space heaters and candles present fire risks.

-Practice portable generator safety. Please, please, please keep generators outdoors, at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and/or garages to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, which is odorless and colorless. Please follow safety instructions.

-Check on your neighbors. After ensuring your family is safe, check on your neighbors, especially the most vulnerable, Make sure they are okay.

Downed trees remain the biggest hazard to most residents. Hundreds have posted photos and videos of the damage left in the wake of the windstorm.

Austin’s Compassion Exchange (ACE) Lending Closet, located in Palmer medical equipment structure collapsed in the 100+ mph winds. ACE reports that the frame bent, the cover tore away, leaving the equipment and supplies exposed to the weather. ACE is a nonprofit that collects and redistributes medical equipment to those with medical challenges.

There is hope on the horizon as the current high wind warning is set to expire tomorrow at 12:55 p.m.

11:00 a.m. Update. The Red Cross has announced that the shelter initially set up at the Glenn Massay Theater has relocated to the Menard Sports COmplex in Wasilla. It is open for those impacted by the windstorm and recent fires. People needing a place to get warm, charge their phones, grab a shower or stay for the time being are welcome. Service animals are also welcome. The shelter will also allow pets in kennels for shelter residents staying overnight.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District also posted school closures for Regions 1-5 and Region 7 due to the high wind, outages, and forecasted weather.

Region 6-Talkeetna, Willow, Trapper Creek and Su-Valley-will operate on a normal schedule. Any changes will be updated in the morning.

Please visit the MSBSD website for additional information.

MEA posted that as of 10:15 a.m. this morning, 14,688 members remain without power. This comes after MEA said they lost a bit of traction made after additional outages occurred earlier this morning.

"We know this is very frustrating as many members have been out for over 24 hours. Working to make repairs in these conditions is unfortunately very time consuming and hazardous, so we appreciate the grace you're providing our crews and inside workers as we work through all of this. Thank you."

10:00 p.m. Update. As the temperatures dip overnight there are thousands still without power. The Red Cross has been assisting with multiple emergencies in the Mat-Su Valley, including several house fires that have impacted a multi-family unit and several single-family dwellings. For those needing shelter, the folks at the Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Glenn Massay Theater over at the Mat-Su College in Palmer. Anyone needing someplace warm, a shower, or to charge essential medical equipment can reach out to the shelter hotline at (907) 982-8181.

Similarly, JBER lodging is available to those without power, including expanded family/pet capacity to accommodate as many as possible. Please call JBER lodging at (907) 552-2454.

MEA reports that as of 9:05 p.m. there are just over 20,000 members without power. A few hours earlier, it was up to 21,000 as winds had picked up again. MEA says that crews will continue working throughout the overnight hours to get power restored, and asks for continued patience as the linemen work during these extreme conditions.

4:00 p.m. Update. Currently, MEA is reporting that currently that are 19,646 members without power, with the greatest outages in the Greater Palmer/Fishhook area reporting over 2400 members without power, the Seldon/Wasilla Fishhook area with 1800 members, followed by the Gateway area with about 1600 members all without power.

MEA crews are working to try and restore power, however with the weather forecasting winds not improving until Monday, MEA is not offering any estimates for power to be restored, and is thanking everyone for their continued patience.

Settlers Bay Lodge has sustained severe damage to the roof, posting that they will be closed until further notice and will be reaching out to those who have booked large parties and Take-and-Bake Christmas orders. “We appreciate your kind thoughts and words as we, and all of our staff, navigate this difficult time.”

The Wasilla Walmart is also closed as a result of the high winds, with pictures showing damage to the roof as well.

There have also been multiple structure fires reported in Wasilla and Fairview Loop areas.

There is good news, as people throught the Valley have been offering up assistance. Perkup Espresso offered free coffee and tea to the MEA linemen who have been working around the clock to restore power. Meanwhile, the folks at Mat-Su Scanner are working to coordinate with contractors, neighbors, and teens who have skills to those in need of assistance removing trees and debris. See their Facebook page for specific details.

The pictures really tell the tale, as people all across the Matanuska Valley are posting damage from downed trees, some precariously close to power lines while others blocking roadways and driveways, to commercial signs being knocked down, trailers blown over, and debris being found houses and blocks away.

The high wind warning has been extended until Monday morning at 11:00 a.m.

This morning’s windstorm is very much the Grinch to many residences, businesses, and events across the Matanuska Valley as winds at 45 mph, with gusts up to 70 mph are wreaking havoc, causing major power outages affecting thousands of residents.

Current reports from Wasilla Airport indicate northeast winds at 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph, and higher in some areas.

A High Wind Warning remains in effect for the Matanuska Valley today, Saturday, December 6, 2025, with winds expected to continue, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Northeast winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 80 mph are expected, and the NWS has now extended the High Wind Warning until Monday. The areas impacted include Lower Matanuska Valley-Sutton / Upper Matanuska Valley-Chickaloon, Sutton, Big Lake, Wasilla, and Palmer

Reports of damage and outages have been coming in since early this morning. Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) crews have been busy since 3:00 a.m. with outages and downed power lines. They are currently reports that 16,721 members are without power on their social media page. “Not a lot of restoration has occurred as there are many downed trees and lines and the situation continues to worsen.”

The most major outages are:

• Palmer Proper and Greater area – 3000 members

• KGB and Fairview - 8000 members

• Engstrom – 927 members

• Palmer/Wasilla to Hatcher Pass – 2000 members

• Soapstone/Sutton north to Glacier View – 1489 members are out of power.

MEA would like to remind people to avoid downed power lines and report outages via their SmartHub, while asking for patience as members continue to report outages. “We know that there is difficulty getting through on the phone lines. Please have patience or use SmartHub to report downed lines and trees.”

Customers can check current outages on the MEA Facebook page or by calling 907-746-7697 (POWR).

Alaska Railroad (AKRR) has advised that the railroad crossings at Knik-Goose Bay and Main, as well as Clapp are all out of service, with AKRR reporting crossing arms are snapped and on the ground.

Meanwhile, people have been posting to social media damage to rooftops, including Settlers’ Bay Lodge roof, which reportedly has pieces flying into nearby roadways and businesses. Several homeowners have posted damage to sheds, downed trees blocking roadways and driveways, and flying debris such as trampolines.

Judy Cain of Settlers Bay said that while the power was out most of the morning, she noticed a downed tree in her driveway. “A kind man who saw my situation came by and cut enough for us to leave if we have an emergency.” Cain later reported her power has been restored for now.

Dozens of businesses are closed as they are without power—Palmer McDonald’s, Carrs-Safeway, the Central Landfill are just a few currently closed due to power outages.

Several events have also been cancelled or postponed due to the windstorm, including the City of Wasilla Christmas Tree Lighting, skating at several lakes including Slipper Lake, the Santa visit to Creekside Plaza.

Compounding the windstorm are the below freezing temperatures. Dangerously cold wind chill values falling to between -10 and -20°F are expected by Sunday evening, which could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

Some are trying to maintain a sense of humor. The WPD, while posting a safety reminder, reassured folks that all was still intact with the local KFC, a throwback to the damage it suffered during a different windstorm in January, 2022, resulting in its closure and subsequent rebuild.

Over at KGB, which has sustained power outages and flying debris, when asked how everyone was doing, one respondent posted:

“We now identify as KG, as I'm pretty sure the B has been blown elsewhere.”

The Wasilla Police Department and the Palmer Police Department have both asked residents to stay home as travel will be difficult due to high winds and potential areas of blowing snow and dust, which may reduce visibility. If people are out driving, they are reminded to treat traffic lights without power as a 4-way stop signs. And be cautious.

The High Wind Warning is in effect until tomorrow evening. Winds are not expected to die down today and will last into at least tomorrow evening. Please stay safe – there is a lot of debris scattered outside.

For the latest road conditions, visit 511.alaska.gov.

This is a developing story.