Alaska Storm: Residents Prepare for Massive 'Historic Storm'
Alaska began evacuations Tuesday night as the state prepares for a historic storm on path to blast the region Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has said the storm could be one of the worst Alaska has ever seen.
The storm is moving inland from the Aleutian Islands and carries hurricane-like winds of up to 100 mph. The storm is also predicted to bring heavy snow, coastal flooding and extreme erosion along the western coast of the state, according to the National Weather Service.
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The city Nome, Alaska has issued an evacuation order to its 3,600 residents.
"This will be an extremely dangerous and life threatening storm of an epic magnitude rarely experienced," the National Weather Service said in a warning message.
The storm has also caused a sharp rise in sea levels, with an increase in over three feet.
On Nome resident, Scott Johnson has carried out some minor preparations but said the city is used to storms of this magnitude, according to MSNBC.
"The general view out here is we get storms like this on a fairly regular basis," Johnson told MSNBC. "We kind of shrug it off. But when the National Weather Service is trying to sound an alarm with 30-foot seas and this is a rare storm, take it seriously. I think they're taking it seriously with a grain of salt."
Some communities aren't taking any chances and have set-up shelters on Tuesday, according to Bryan Fisher, chief of operations for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Fisher also told the media that long-distance evacuations were not possible.
"Air traffic will not be flying in the weather that we're expecting in the next 24 to 48 hours," he said.
Alaska Senator Mark Begich said the storm is a serious threat to the region.
"I realize we are in a remote part of the country, but many people and communities are in harm's way," Begich said in a written statement.
