Anchorage picks up the pieces after Monday night wind storm

‘Santa’s down!’ says one resident with yard Christmas displays
A major windstorm in Monday night caused damage in the Anchorage Bowl
Published: Dec. 10, 2024 at 3:46 PM AKST

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Howling winds brought down trees, caused power outages, and wreaked havoc among Christmas displays across the Anchorage Bowl Monday night.

Tuesday morning, some residents were picking up the pieces.

David Andrews has lived in his home on Romania Drive in Anchorage’s Goldenview neighborhood since 2008. While often windy, he said Monday’s winds seemed worse than usual, rocking his home and making it hard to sleep.

He said he felt fortunate compared to his neighbor, as winds brought down a large tree that partially struck their roof. Andrews said he doesn’t believe his neighbor was home at the time.

At least one peak wind gust registered at 81 mph Monday in Anchorage’s Goldenview neighborhood.

Howling winds brought down trees, caused power outages, and wreaked havoc among Christmas displays across the Anchorage Bowl Monday night.

The winds also did a number on people’s efforts who’d spent a lot of time putting up Christmas displays. Tuesday morning, Meghan Beltz was picking up the pieces after winds blew down dozens of inflatable Christmas characters, including a large Santa.

Beltz said the display, on her father-in-law’s lawn off Lake Otis Parkway on Cornell Court, has been a neighborhood favorite for 16 years. Beltz figured at least a dozen of the 50-plus inflatables were damaged and while she retrieved several from neighbor’s yards, she said at least three were still missing.

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