Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
The icy weather system that’s shut down schools, government and other facilities from Anchorage to Fairbanks and beyond, continues to dump freezing rain on the region. National Weather Service Meteorologist Eric Stevens says Fairbanks is enduing an historic winter rain event.
The rain has water running over ice slicked streets, and driving continues to be dicey. Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Luke Hopkins also describes the ice storm as “a historic weather event” and is encouraging residents to stay home.
A winter storm warning remains in affect, and the Weather Service’s Stevens says the forecast doesn’t call for much improvement.
Stevens says the rain has not resulted in any serious flooding. He says the snow pack can absorb a lot of water, and river levels are low. He says things should begin to dry out later Wednesday, and there’s a chance for a little snow on Thanksgiving.
Anchorage schools were closed today and in the Mat Su valley, Trooper Spokeswoman Megan Peters says the Valley School district is closed also.
Peters says the main thoroughfares in Anchorage are less treacherous than yesterday but the side streets and parking lots are very icy. School officials expressing concern about side road and trail conditions for students have decided not to take chances. Icy conditions are a significant safety concern for students who walk to school or to bus stops. The school districts in Fairbanks, Anchorage and the Mat Su Valley will all be closed again tomorrow. With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, that means the kids are free until Monday.
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