Coastal Flood — Northern Arctic Coast, Alaska

2010-09-25 to 2010-09-26 · Northern Arctic Coast, Alaska

Wider weather episode

An intensifying low moved south across the Arctic Ocean and deepened to 990 millibars about 350 miles north of Barrow by the morning of the 25th. Sea ice was near seasonal minimums and there was several hundred miles of open water to the northwest of Barrow. A northwest wind around the back side of the low increased to sustained speeds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph. The strong wind caused seas to build to an estimated 5 to 10 feet that broke along the beach. Seas were estimated to be as high as 15 feet offshore. Although the storm surge was estimated to be less than 1 foot, the high seas did cause some minor flooding around Barrow. The road that runs parallel to the beach was closed due to minor flooding. Minor flooding was also reported at the public playground and in low lying areas near the Top of the World Hotel. The boat ramp was also reported to be flooding. No property damage was reported during the storm. The city built up berms that were estimated to be 6 feet high and the berms likely helped to mitigate flood damage.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 254801. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.