Nome, Alaska Weathers Bering Sea Storm

As a Bering Sea mega-storm continued to pummel Western Alaska Wednesday, Nome residents could take comfort in knowing that some favorite establishments were still ready to proffer supplies like pizza and beer.

At Airport Pizza, a popular restaurant in the center of town known for serving an eclectic menu of gourmet pizzas, salads and wraps, Janet Bloodgood had been at work since the early morning. Bloodgood, who has lived in Nome for her entire life, said she’s seen storms like this before, like one fierce squall during the winter of 2004-2005.

Yesterday, “everyone was stocking up on stuff” for the storm. And overnight, it hit.
“It was pretty scary,” she says. “(Winds) went up to 70 mph last night and this morning we had a couple of power lines go down.”

Still, with the power back on in town and people digging out from the many inches of snow the storm also dumped on town Tuesday night, Airport Pizza was alive.

“We were slow in the beginning of the shift,” Bloodgood said. “But people are steadily coming in.”

Bloodgood wasn't surprised.

“It’s a tough little town and it’s still standing.”

Meanwhile, on Nome’s historic Front Street, which presses directly up against the Bering Sea, commerce was still taking place on Wednesday morning despite dire predictions.
The historic Board of Trade Saloon was abuzz, said bartender Leon Boardway.

But some of the buildings on front street had been damaged overnight.

“Some of the older buildings are kind of falling apart,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of sidings come up. One building, I hear the front wall fell in and the roof fell in.”

Boardway, who experienced the infamous 1974 storm, said last night’s winds were among the worst he’d seen in Nome.

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“They were howling,” he said. “I tell you what, they were making all kinds of racket. Howlin or screaming – I didn’t know if it was wind or people.”

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Water damage though wasn't as bad as feared - yet.

“I was here in the ‘74 storm,” he said. “Water actually came right over and pretty much wiped out this whole front street. I don't see that kind of water damage today.”

A storm surge could still impact downtown Nome, especially Front Street, later today.
The Board of Trade has closed early the night before to ensure people got home to their families before the storm hit. But customers had straggled back as of Wednesday at 11:30 am.

“We got a full house here,” he said.

Beer was the beverage of choice, he said.

He said people were keenly aware that the storm wasn't really over.

“I think we're in the eye of the storm,” he said.

Still, Nome residents would ride it out, he said – with the help of some of their preferred local establishments. 

“We’re pretty hearty people out here.”

Contact Michelle Theriault Boots