Update: High wind warning cancelled after causing power outages
- Jasz Garrett
- Sep 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 17
Severe wind decreasing; rain expected to continue into weekend
By Jasz Garrett
Juneau Independent
Update 5:30 p.m.: As of 4 p.m., the high wind warning was cancelled for Juneau, according to National Weather Service Juneau.
The strongest wind gusts have diminished and will continue to do so into Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. Residents can expect infrequent gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour at times.
Alaska Electric Light and Power crew worked to repair the service line on the Mendenhall Peninsula and Engineers Cutoff. Power had to be cut to all customers in the area as repairs were completed at approximately 4:30 p.m., but power has been restored.
Update 3:30 p.m.: Power has been restored to customers from Lena Cove and north of Glacier Highway. AELP suggests that if someone does still not have power, they should check their main breaker. If that does not fix the problem, they can call (907) 759-5900.
Update 1 p.m.: AELP is finishing restoring the last of the feeders, including downtown, West Juneau and Douglas.
"There are some areas where the feeder has been restored, but a small section of homes are still out because of damaged lines," a Facebook post states.
AELP is working through a list of areas, including Engineers Cutoff, Mendenhall Peninsula, Fritz Cove, Lena Loop and out the road.
Original story 12:15 p.m.: Alaska Electric Light and Power began responding to an areawide power outage in Juneau on Wednesday morning.
AELP Vice President and Executive Director Debbie Driscoll said all crews are responding to downed trees in the Thane area to determine the problem. She said to check AELP social media for updates.
A post at about 12 p.m. stated, "Our two main transmission lines tripped off, causing an area-wide outage. We have restored Line 1 and are beginning to restore customers one feeder at a time. Line 2 is still off. Trees are dropping all over town so more outages are likely. Please only call to report an outage if you have information about the cause."
The high winds also caused cancellations for the cruise ships Sapphire Princess, Ruby Princess and Discovery Princess.
As of 11 a.m., winds surged northward and hit Juneau. The high wind warning with gusts between 25 and 35 miles per hour and up to 60 miles per hour is in effect for portions of Southeast Alaska until Wednesday evening, according to National Weather Service Juneau. The strongest wind gusts are currently occurring, with several wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour reported near Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport.
Through the rest of the week and into the weekend, systems are expected to continue bringing rain across the panhandle with little to no breaks between. People are urged to secure vessels and loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind.
Report any damage to the National Weather Service by visiting weather.gov/Juneau/StormReports.
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.
