MEA warns of possible outages as storm brings ice and gusts up to 50 mph to Mat-Su

Matanuska Electric Association is warning members to prepare for power outages as a storm brings snow, freezing rain and gusts up to 50 mph to parts of the Matanuska Valley from Monday afternoon into Tuesday.

"Strong winds, ice, and snow can cause trees and branches to fall into power lines, potentially resulting in outages," the cooperative said. MEA said its crews are prepared to respond if outages occur, but "hazardous weather and road conditions may impact restoration efforts."

The National Weather Service's Winter Weather Advisory for Anchorage and the Lower Matanuska Valley runs from noon Monday to 3 pm Tuesday. It calls for up to 3 inches of snow and ice ranging from a light glaze to a tenth of an inch.

Snow should start Monday afternoon, then mix with freezing rain between Monday evening and early Tuesday morning, with plain rain possible around midday Tuesday as temperatures warm above freezing. The advisory says the timing of that change is highly uncertain, and a later change could bring more snow. Weather service forecasters in Anchorage said northeast gusts through Palmer and Wasilla should peak near 50 mph early Tuesday morning.

Travel could be very difficult during the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes, the advisory warns, with roads, especially bridges and overpasses, likely to become slick and hazardous.

Eagle River, also served by MEA, is under a separate advisory for the same hours. It calls for 2 to 8 inches of snow plus a light glaze of ice, and warns that strong winds could damage trees and power lines.

An Oct. 30 windstorm, with gusts up to 70 mph south of Eagle River, cut power to more than 13,500 MEA members from Eagle River to Willow.

MEA asks members to report outages through SmartHub, on the mobile app or the SmartHub member portal, and to check the MEA outage map. Members should assume any downed line is energized and report it at 907-746-7697, or 907-696-7697 in Eagle River. MEA also urged members to charge devices, secure loose outdoor items and have flashlights and emergency supplies ready.

Drivers can check road conditions at 511 or 511.alaska.gov. The weather service expects the storm to wind down Wednesday as gusty winds diminish across Southcentral.