Annual Address Postponed
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy’s highly anticipated annual State of the State address to a joint session of the legislature was delayed due to severe weather conditions. Originally scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, the address was rescheduled for Tuesday evening at the same time. According to Dunleavy’s spokesperson Jeff Turner, the delay was necessary as guests and department heads were unable to arrive on time amidst the challenging weather conditions.
Unrelenting Severe Weather
The capital city of Juneau, where the address was set to take place, was under a high wind warning until mid-afternoon. The region also endured incessant pelting rains. Remarkably, wind gusts of a staggering 93 mph were recorded at the Eaglecrest Ski Area on Douglas Island, located across the Gastineau Channel from mainland Juneau. The National Weather Service reported wind speeds of 58 mph at the airport on Monday morning, further highlighting the intensity of the storm.
Extent of Severe Weather
The severe weather conditions were not limited to Juneau alone. Other parts of Alaska also experienced high winds throughout Monday, exacerbating the challenges of transportation and causing disruptions across the state.
Stay tuned for Governor Dunleavy’s rescheduled State of the State address, where he is expected to outline his vision for the coming year and address key issues affecting Alaska.