1974 Bering Sea Storm

Overview

On November 11th 1974, a very strong storm brought coastal flooding, winds and damage across the coast of western Alaska. The communities of Nome and Teller were particularly impacted. Flood waters in Nome exceeded 1913 levels and as of 2024 remain the highest on record. There was a widespread loss of communication and electrical infrastructure. Reliance on emergency phones was necessary. The King Island community in Nome lost all 80 homes. The Bureau of Indian Affairs helped provide 20-30 new homes. Many smaller villages were without communication altogether. There was widespread loss of subsistence equipment including boats, nets and snowmachines.

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Weather woes

The storm moved from the Aleutians through the Bering Strait on Nov. 11 bringing winds of 55-80 mph. The timing of the maximum storm surge aligned with monthly maximum tides. The lowest pressure was 949 mb. Sea ice in Utqiaġvik reportedly lifted 1-2 ft due to the storm. (insert storm track here)

Pressure timeline

• Nov. 11, 11 a.m. AKST: Storm crosses into Bering Sea

  

• Nov 11, 12 p.m AKST: 953 mb

  

• Nov 12, 9 p.m AKST: 949 mb

  

• Nov. 12, 3 a.m. AKST: 951 mb

  

• Nov. 12, 9 a.m AKST: 955 mb

  

• Nov. 12, 3 p.m AKST: 959 mb

  

Disaster declared

• Nov. 12: Governor Egan declared a state disaster emergency

• Nov. 14: President Ford approved federal disaster declaration

Damages were estimated to be between $12-15 million (1986 dollars) in Nome alone.

Community specific impacts

Hooper Bay: Fish camps, nets, 14 boats, 5 snowmachines, food cache lost, city dock damaged, private warehouse damaged, extensive erosion on Airport Rd

St. Michael: Standard Oil Company bulk fuel plant destroyed, food cache washed away, houses built on high ground were spared, 1 boat and some nets damaged

Unalakeet: Severe damage to shoreline buildings, 10 houses flooded, village community center destroyed, runway under 6 ft of water and main street under 4 ft

Shatoolik: Reports of boats, motors and other related supplies lost, city owned reindeer corral damaged, costs of damage over $20,000

Elim: 11 boats and other related equipment lost, gasoline storage drums washed away

Nome: 45 houses and 18 businesses damaged, electric and sewer systems impacted, seawall sank 2 ft, 16 miles of Council road washed out, winds of 69 mph, 10 ft waves, water 11.7 ft above MHHW*

Teller: 40 houses flooded with water containing oil, fuel drums lost and scattered, many evacuated to church, city and state roads damaged, food contaminated

Wales: Boats, motors, snowmachines lost, winds of 87 mph reported, erosion at the airport, roof damaged at the Electric Co-op power house

Shishmaref: Boats, motors, nets lost, new sea wall collapsing due to erosion, flooding widespread, some erosion next to Shismaref Native Store warehouse

*Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) is equivalent to “above the highest high tide line”