After heavy rains in Unalaska, a flood warning was issued and several roads and public buildings were closed.
According to the National Weather Service, Tuesday saw rain amounts of 3 to 3.5 inches in the past 24 hours. It was possible to get up to 5.5 inches.
Mechele Hender is the senior weather supervisor for the Dutch Harbor airport. According to her, the highest-ever recorded one-day total precipitation of 3.76 inches at 10 a.m. Tuesday is among the top 10.
It’s not common for certain. It’s unusual to have so many days, and for the forecast to continue on. Hester stated that it was “certainly unusual”.
While most of the state is currently experiencing sub-zero temperatures and Unalaska is still warm, mercury levels have hovered in the mid-40s for the past week. Two high pressure systems are pushing warm air from the Pacific Ocean northwards to parts of the Aleutians and funneling it across the chain.
Hester stated that only two planes made it into the airport in the past six days because of heavy fog.
Tuesday morning, the City of Unalaska issued an advisory to motorists. Ballyhoo Road is closed and Summer Bay Road is closed. Residents are advised to only drive when absolutely necessary. To aid drainage, the roads crew also removed manhole covers.
Residents are warned to expect six inches of rain within the next 36-48 hour, and the possibility of flooding and mudslides.
The flood warning will remain in effect until Friday at noon.
