Satellite shows hurricane force storm on Alaska west coast.
 WashingtonPost.com (excerpts):  A storm of historic intensity continues to pound the west coast of Alaska Today.  Twice the size of Texas, the storm is as deep as a category 3 hurricane.  The National Weather Service is calling it a "life-threatening epic storm," due to its dangerous combination of towering waves (observed at 40 feet in the Bering Sea), winds over 100 miles per hour, storm surge flooding and blinding snow.  The storm's central pressure bottomed out at 943 mb, this morning, comparable to the minimum pressure (942 mb) of hurricane Irene, which caused billions in damage along the East Coast in late August.  From this point forward, the storm - essentially a snow hurricane (or snowicane) is forecast to slowly weaken, but will continue battering the region into the night.  At the moment, the storm is producing screaming 50 - 70 mph winds along the entire west coast of Alaska (according to a coastal flood warning posted by the NWS this morning).  The strong onshore winds are piling up the water along the coast.  Severe coastal flooding is expected / ongoing with tides 8 to 10 feet above normal and 15 to 20 foot waves.  The winds may also push ice in Norton Bay onshore.  The tiny town of Nome, Alaska, home to 3,500 residents, is being battered by the storm.  Law enforcement and the National Weather Service are urging inhabitants to take all necessary precautions.  As Elizabeth Flock explained:

Alaska's weather has just turned from tranquil to scary.  The Post's Capital Weather Gang reported yesterday:  "A ferocious, dangerous storm in the North Pacific is on a collision course with the west coast of Alaska" and it's now pummeling the tiny 3,500 resident city of Nome.  According to a special message from the National Weather Service, the storm may be larger than any on record in the area.  The service warned that "This will be an extremely dangerous and life-threatening storm of an epic magnitude rarely experienced.  All people in the area should take precautions to safeguard their lives and property."  

 The storm is predicted to have sustained winds of 80 - 100 mph, waves more than 40 feet high and blinding snow.  Officials in Nome issued an evacuation order late Tuesday for people living in low-lying areas.  


As the storm came across the Bering Sea, officials rushed to alert those in its path that it was not a normal storm, even by Alaskan standards.  As AP reported:

One of the most powerful storms to hit Western Alaska in nearly 40 years battered coastal communities Wednesday with snow and hurricane-force winds, forcing some residents to seek higher ground, as it knocked out power and ripped off roofs.  As the storm churned the Bering Sea, residents and emergency responders braced for a possible surge of sea water into coastal communities.  "People out there are used to extreme weather, but this is not a normal storm," said Jeremy Zidek, a spokesman for the state's emergency management agency.  "This is of a magnitude that can be a storm of record, extremely dangerous, and the state is treating it as such."  


Water had already reached homes in at least four native villages, including Tununak and Kipnuk, state emergency managers said.  Zidek noted there had been no reports of injuries and damages, so far, has been largely limited to blown-out windows and battered roofs.  Hooper Bay and Tununak reported scattered power outages. 

Commentary:  Throughout the world, we are seeing record-breaking storms everywhere and apparently Alaska is no exception.  The Word of God says that in the last days, "You will be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, earthquake, great noise, with storm and tempest and the flames of devouring fire" Isaiah 29:6.  Nations throughout the world are also experiencing record-breaking fires, as foretold by the prophet Isaiah.  Nevertheless, he also said, "You (God) have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall" Isaiah 25:4.  The Lord already promised protection, even though the storms would come; but these promises are for those who call on His name.  The Bible also says, "You have asked nothing in My name: ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" John 16:24.  God expects us to pray, so we can receive help from Him.  If we don't ask, the Bible tells us, we will not receive of the Lord.