Windstorm Expected to Hit Anchorage Saturday Night

Public warned to be prepared for more power outages

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By Janessa Webb
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Story Created: Sep 15, 2012 at 8:47 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Sep 15, 2012 at 8:50 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Get ready, Anchorage, for more wind damage, as another massive storm is set to hit Saturday afternoon, which could mean more power outages. The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning for Anchorage and surrounding areas on Friday, predicting potential gusts to 100 miles per hour Saturday evening. Alaska Emergency Management Teams Dawn Brantley said, "We are encouraging you to go now to get what you might need; if you were impacted last time it's a possibility you will be impacted again."

With toppled trees still on the ground, many are still picking up the pieces. Only just over a week since the last major power outage, many are concerned power companies aren't ready for another display of hurricane force winds.

Chugach Electric estimates last week’s storm cost them $2 million, while the city says it cost them $450,000. So the question is, have they learned a very expensive lesson? Phil Steyer from Chugach Electric Company said, "Yes, after every major outage we sit down and do an after-outage review; we look at how did things go, what can we do better next time."

Chugach answered 11,000 phone calls last week during the storm, and going into this weekend they’re making some changes. Steyer said, "We are adding web-based outage reporting as well going into this weekend, so we have taken a look at our staffing and we understand that it is frustrating."

The storm is just around the corner, and many are hoping this time around they're prepared for anything.

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Anonymous said on Sunday, Sep 16 at 5:40 PM

hmm 540 in the afternoon...nothings going on....woo

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moodyh750 said on Sunday, Sep 16 at 4:29 AM

good,it`s 4:30 in the morning and everything is just fine!

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Anonymous said on Sunday, Sep 16 at 12:13 AM

I think i finally hear a little wind

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guest said on Sunday, Sep 16 at 12:03 AM

Where is the wind? Is it even coming? Would be nice to know...

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1arcticfox said on Saturday, Sep 15 at 11:40 AM

Adding web-based outage reporting? Last time I checked - when the power goes out so does your cable/internet! Precisely how then....would one use the web-based power outage reporting??? If people have power outages, most will not be able to use the web-based system of reporting power outages! Duh! What were they thinking?

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Where am I? said on Saturday, Sep 15 at 11:18 AM

Lights out,no one's home...again...

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