A powerline covered in snow is seen along Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A powerline covered in snow is seen along Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Windstorm causes 2 large power outages

The storm was the result of a strong low pressure system moving up from the North Pacific

A windstorm caused multiple large power outages across the central peninsula Sunday and Monday, but Homer Electric Association says all service was restored by Monday afternoon.

The first outage occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on Sunday, when Homer Electric wrote “we are aware of a large outage in Soldotna.” By 4 p.m., they wrote that around 4,100 members had been affected, along K-Beach, Kenai, Soldotna and Nikiski.

Many of those members without power saw service restored by 7 p.m., the cooperative crediting “huge strides” that restored power to over 3,700. The remaining 400 members were affected by smaller outages, mostly caused by “trees outside the right-of-way.” Full service was restored around 2 a.m.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

A second large outage affected around 2,700 members around 3 p.m. on Monday, caused by “several trees” downed on a line near Mackey Lake Road.

The storm was the result of a strong low pressure system moving up from the North Pacific, according to forecast information from the National Weather Service on Saturday. They wrote that “strong winds, heavy snow and whiteout conditions” could be seen in the region Sunday through Monday morning.

On Monday, the service wrote that a winter storm “remains in progress.” An avalanche warning had been issued for much of the eastern Kenai Peninsula, including Girdwood, Portage Valley, the Turnagain Pass, Moose Pass and Seward by the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center through Monday evening because of “several feet of snow” expected to continue falling that day.

The weather service forecast a chance of snow and showers through Wednesday, when things were expected to clear up briefly before snow returns Friday.

For more information about Homer Electric Association and their efforts during power outages, find them on Facebook at “Homer Electric Association.”

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai fair shows off aircraft of all kinds

Cargo planes to helicopters were on display Saturday.

David Meyer. Photo courtesy of Chantrelle Meyer
Volunteers continue search for missing Happy Valley man

David Meyer was reported missing June 11 while kayaking in Cook Inlet.

Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories

Officials say sun’s angle in Alaska makes temperatures feel higher compared to other states.

People carrying flags and signs line the Sterling Highway for a “No Kings” protest in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna ‘No Kings’ protest draws hundreds

The nationwide protest came the same day as a military parade organized at the behest of the Trump administration.

Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna council mulls change to meeting time

Meetings would be moved from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. under a resolution set to be considered on June 25.

Mountain View Elementary School is photographed on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View vandalized by children, police say

Staff who arrived at the school on Monday found significant damage, according to police.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress 4th grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy vetoes education funding to $500 BSA increase

Per-student funding was increased by $700 in an education bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in May.

Most Read