Storm, Avalanches Close Highway, Tunnel

Winds add to dangerous driving

Tools

By Kirsten Swann

Story Created: Jan 11, 2012 at 8:32 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 11, 2012 at 8:32 AM AKDT

In Anchorage, the first major windstorm of the year blew cars off the road and knocked out power from Girdwood to Chugiak, including about 2,600 homes in Anchorage. It also closed the Whittier Tunnel and parts of the Seward Highway. As of Wednesday morning, the tunnel was still closed, and the Seward Highway was closed from Milepost 90 to Milepost 100 between Girdwood and Bird.

For the most part, the winds have stayed away from the Anchorage Bowl, but Tuesday they caused whiteout conditions north along the Glenn Highway towards Palmer, and further south, the weather actually shut down the Seward Highway between Anchorage and Girdwood.

On the Anchorage Hillside, the winds emptied the parking lot at Prospect Heights and continued south, picking up at Potter Marsh along the Seward Highway.

That’s where Anchorage Police blocked the roadway, turning drivers away from whiteout conditions and two early morning avalanches between there and Girdwood.

Department of Transportation officials say it’s a matter of waiting out the storm, but for drivers who depend on the state’s only road south, it was becoming a long wait.

We’ll be posting updates on road conditions on ktva.com throughout the day.

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