High Wind — Cape Fairweather To Lisianski Strait, Alaska

2025-09-22 · Cape Fairweather To Lisianski Strait, Alaska

Event narrative

At approximately 1pm AKDT on the 22nd, reports starting coming in of significant blow down of trees and damage in the community of Elfin Cove. The local COOP/Emergency Manager reported that at least 5 homes had large trees through their roof and a treefall/rockslide took out part of the power line. Strongest winds occurred around 11am AKDT with a sudden wind shift from east to west and gusts estimated around 70mph.

The Governor of State of Alaska declared a disaster declaration for this event. The State Emergency Operations Center reported: 15 homes with some damage, a cell tower destroyed, phone building with major damage, major damage to radio repeaters, an impassable boardwalk due to downed trees and a 10'15 ft section as unsafe due to structural damage. Estimate expense by the state was $300 thousand, but a value of exact property damage is unknown.

The ferry M/V Columbia traveling through Peril Strait, along the southern border of the zone, measured a peak gust of 52kt at 645am. Peak winds measured at the Marine Exchange sensor on George Island to the east of Elfin Coved included a gust of 64.4 knots (74mph) at 1113am AKDT.

A later report from Gulf Cove, east of Elfin Cove, noted that they also had trees down from this event and damage to their boardwalk. The State disaster declaration included this area.

Wider weather episode

A quick moving storm force low pressure system deepened to 972mb as it tracked NE over the Eastern Gulf of Alaska on September 22nd. A sting jet formed on the south side of the low with hurricane force wind gusts. As the low jumped inland near Cross Sound, a sudden wind shift from east to west caused significant tree fall and damage to the community of Elfin Cove.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1295690. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.