High winds expected to hit Southeast; residents urged to stay safe

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for the Southeast due to a storm moving through this weekend.

The storm will be bringing winds from 24 to 45 miles per hour, with gusts up to 75 mph from 3 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. on Saturday, the NWS reported.

“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Aviation and marine transportation will be impacted,” the report read.

Though the report said the main wind gusts will be along the coast, inland locations, including Wrangell, will see gusts up to 60 mph. “Klawock, Hydaburg, Craig, Wrangell and Petersburg’s greatest threat is from late afternoon through late evening (Friday),” according to the report.

Kimberly Vaughan, a forecaster with the NWS in Juneau, said strong storms aren’t unprecedented this time of year, though this storm is stronger than usual.

“This is definitely stronger than the average storm, as we start to do the transition months from summer into winter,” Vaughan said. “This one is definitely on the higher end.”

Heavy rain is also expected, the report stated, adding, “People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.”

Vaughan said flying debris is where a lot of the danger comes from with the wind gusts, so people should clear their yards of things like lawn furniture, toys, trampolines or anything that could be blown into windows.

“(The Wrangell area is) looking at gusts as high as 60 mph. With that, you can get the flying debris. As that goes around, it can become missile-like and hit a person or object,” she said.

Vaughan said the system could bring anywhere from 2 to 2.65 inches of rain with the wind.