Homer Digs Out After Surprise Snowstorm

Heavy snow blankets an East Skyline Drive neighborhood. (photo by Aaron Selbig)

     Another winter storm has dropped as much as two feet in some spots around Homer today Thursday. 

     The surprise snowstorm began late Wednesday evening and by early Thursday morning, some residents were reporting additional accumulation between six inches in town and two feet in areas by Diamond Ridge and East End Road. Some snow plows were on the roads by 7 a.m. Thursday morning trying to clear a path.

     The Alaska Department of Transportation issued advisories for the Sterling Highway and warned residents not to be on the roads unless it was absolutely necessary.

     Another issue with the unexpected snowfall was a steady stream of power outages throughout the morning. First reports came in at 3:41 a.m. Thursday and affected homes in the Kachemak Way, Mountain View Avenue and East Hill Road area.

     Joe Gallagher is the spokesperson for Homer Electric Association. He says other reports came in throughout the day from Anchor Point through the Fritz Creek area.

     "I think we probably had ... 20 to 30 outages that had to be responded to," said Gallagher.

     Gallagher says crews were out all morning and into the afternoon restoring power because the heavy snow was weighing down the lines and they tend to slap together, which causes the fuse to go out on the circuit. He also reminds people that it’s important to keep away from downed power lines if they see them.

     Gallagher says anyone who sees a downed line should call Homer Electric or the police. Anyone who is without power should call the HEA hotline, which is 1-888-8OUTAGE.