2011 Bering Sea superstorm
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Bering Sea superstorm was an extratropical cyclone
that affected western Alaska
. On November 8, the National Weather Service
(NWS) began issuing severe weather warnings, saying that this was a near record (or record) storm in the Bering Sea
. It rapidly deepened from 973 mb to 948 mb in just 24 hours before bottoming out at 943 mb, roughly comparable to a Category 3 or 4 hurricane. The storm had been deemed life-threatening by many people. The storm had a forward speed of at least 60 miles per hour (96.6 km/h) before it had reached Alaska. The storm began affecting Alaska in the late hours of November 8, 2011. The highest gust recorded was 89 miles per hour (143.2 km/h) which was recorded in Wales, Alaska
. One person has been reported missing after being swept into the Bering Sea
.
issued hurricane wind warnings, flood warnings and blizzard warnings for most of Western Alaska. The storm comes after almost 7,000 people in the Kenai Peninsula
lost power in a previous storm the week before. An Alaskan village called Kivalina recently built a wall to protect waves from flooding the village. This storm should test the walls sturdiness. In case the wall falls down, people who live in Kivalina will be evacuated. Storm surges are expected to be up to 8-10 feet. The U.S. Coast Guard staged helicopters around the western coast of Alaska in case of any emergencies. People in Unalakleet, Alaska began to board up their windows on November 8. The Alaskan Homeland Security helped villages prepare for the storm.
and the West Coast of the United States
. On November 11, 2011, the National Weather Service issued hurricane-force wind warnings and storm warnings for Western Alaska
with coastal flood warnings for the Alaska Peninsula
. The second storm attained a low pressure of 954 mb on November 12, 2011.
The storm caused widespread damage to approximately 37 communities on the Western Alaskan coast. Damage included coastal erosion caused by storm surge
, roof and other structural damage to homes and businesses, and loss of heat and electricity.
A fishing vessel was lost in the severe weather after the crew was ordered to abandon ship. The crew was rescued by the United States Coast Guard
.
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
that affected western Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. On November 8, the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
(NWS) began issuing severe weather warnings, saying that this was a near record (or record) storm in the Bering Sea
Bering Sea
The Bering Sea is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises a deep water basin, which then rises through a narrow slope into the shallower water above the continental shelves....
. It rapidly deepened from 973 mb to 948 mb in just 24 hours before bottoming out at 943 mb, roughly comparable to a Category 3 or 4 hurricane. The storm had been deemed life-threatening by many people. The storm had a forward speed of at least 60 miles per hour (96.6 km/h) before it had reached Alaska. The storm began affecting Alaska in the late hours of November 8, 2011. The highest gust recorded was 89 miles per hour (143.2 km/h) which was recorded in Wales, Alaska
Wales, Alaska
Wales is a town in the Nome Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 152. It is the westernmost town on the American mainland.-Geography:...
. One person has been reported missing after being swept into the Bering Sea
Bering Sea
The Bering Sea is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises a deep water basin, which then rises through a narrow slope into the shallower water above the continental shelves....
.
Preparations
On November 7 and 8, the National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
issued hurricane wind warnings, flood warnings and blizzard warnings for most of Western Alaska. The storm comes after almost 7,000 people in the Kenai Peninsula
Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula is a large peninsula jutting from the southern coast of Alaska in the United States. The name Kenai is probably derived from Kenayskaya, the Russian name for Cook Inlet, which borders the peninsula to the west.-Geography:...
lost power in a previous storm the week before. An Alaskan village called Kivalina recently built a wall to protect waves from flooding the village. This storm should test the walls sturdiness. In case the wall falls down, people who live in Kivalina will be evacuated. Storm surges are expected to be up to 8-10 feet. The U.S. Coast Guard staged helicopters around the western coast of Alaska in case of any emergencies. People in Unalakleet, Alaska began to board up their windows on November 8. The Alaskan Homeland Security helped villages prepare for the storm.
Impact
From November 8, temperatures around Alaska began decreasing. In Anchorage, temperatures the previous day were 18 °F (-7.8 °C), but temperatures began decreasing to 6 °F (-14.4 °C) during the afternoon. In Nome, AK, tides had risen up to 7 feet (2.1 m) , with waters moving up to bases of peoples homes. Windchill temperatures south of Kivalina were -14.1 F with winds gusting to 70 miles per hour (112.7 km/h). Many low-lying areas experienced flooding, including Nome.Aftermath
Forecasters at the National Weather Service forecasted a second strong storm; however, the forecasted storm was not expected to cause as much damage. Other low-pressure areas spawned by this storm were expected to bring heavy rain to British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
and the West Coast of the United States
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
. On November 11, 2011, the National Weather Service issued hurricane-force wind warnings and storm warnings for Western Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
with coastal flood warnings for the Alaska Peninsula
Alaska Peninsula
The Alaska Peninsula is a peninsula extending about to the southwest from the mainland of Alaska and ending in the Aleutian Islands. The peninsula separates the Pacific Ocean from Bristol Bay, an arm of the Bering Sea....
. The second storm attained a low pressure of 954 mb on November 12, 2011.
The storm caused widespread damage to approximately 37 communities on the Western Alaskan coast. Damage included coastal erosion caused by storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
, roof and other structural damage to homes and businesses, and loss of heat and electricity.
A fishing vessel was lost in the severe weather after the crew was ordered to abandon ship. The crew was rescued by the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
.