Sitka harbor officials ask boat owners to secure vessels ahead of Monday high wind warning

Sitka Ports and Harbors is asking boat owners to secure their vessels before a high wind warning takes effect at midnight Monday, Nov. 9.

The National Weather Service issued the warning for the Sitka area. It runs from midnight to 9 pm Monday, and the weather service predicts southeast winds of 50 mph with gusts of 60 mph, the department said in its notice.

The department asked residents to secure vessels and loose objects. "Don't forget to check your dock lines, fenders, and bilge system," Sitka Ports and Harbors said.

Sitka has seen gusts beyond the forecast in recent storms. On Oct. 20, the airport clocked a 76 mph gust, well past the 50 mph the advisories had called for, and falling trees cut power to most of Juneau during the same storm.

On Nov. 5, the airport gusted to 53 mph, past the 45 mph forecast, before a high wind warning went up. Those winds eased, and a wind advisory followed through noon Friday.

The weather service posts updates and forecasts through its Juneau forecast office.