1984 Thanksgiving Day Storm
Overview
Thanksgiving 1984 was exceptionally stormy in much of Southeast Alaska. A storm surge produced coastal inundation in areas unaccustomed to such flooding. High winds flipped airplanes, downed trees, caused widespread power outages, sunk boats, destroyed roads, and ruined houses. Downtown Juneau experienced 92 mph wind gusts, the highest ever recorded.” Residents recall cooking Thanksgiving turkeys on wood stoves due to power outages. In Tenakee Springs, nearly half the homes were either damaged or destroyed.
Weather woes
The Thanksgiving Day Storm was the 3rd in a series of storms to impact Southeast Alaska in mid November. The storm formed about 800 miles southwest of Sitka on November 21 and tracked rapidly northeastward. Sustained winds of 50-60 mph were recorded in Juneau. The storm coincided with the 1984 “King Tide,” the highest astronomical tide of the year. The timing of this high tide was partially responsible for the coastal flooding that occurred during the storm.
Disaster declared
Nov. 22 Tenakee Springs Mayor Debbie Lockhart declared disaster
Nov. 26 Governor Sheffield declared state disaster for impacted communities. Request for a Presidential disaster declaration declined
Public & individual assistance grants and temporary housing provided in Juneau, Kake, Sitka, Angoon, and Tenakee Springs
Total damages in the region estimated to be around $3.4 million (in 1984 dollars)
Community specific impacts
Impacts to communities remain long after flooding recedes and debris is cleared away. In Tenakee Springs, the 1984 storm lasted only one day but it had a profound impact on subsistence activities. Both deer hunting and winter crabbing were limited due to the loss of boats and infrastructure. Only 39 deer were harvested in 1984 compared to 55 deer in 1983. This represents a 41% decline according to a report published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after the storm.
Auke Bay Harbor: Boats sank, docks collapsed, 50 ft boat smashed into nearby boats, community anger over legal delays that halted the construction of a floating breakwater that could have limited wave damage
Juneau: Sections of Egan Drive, Gold Creek, and Thane Road damaged, $1.2 million in repairs needed for Marine Park, downed trees cut power, damages to 12 planes
Kake: 100 + men worked to move logs out of the water during storm preventing them from knocking homes off their pilings, 24 houses damaged, one third of state road washed away
Sitka: $8,000 in damages to trails in National Historic Park, 65 mph winds reported, downed trees suspended power, waterfront homes damaged specifically at Halibut Point waterfront
Angoon: Buildings on pilings along the waterfront were destabilized, Waterfront Road was largely washed away, rock supports at ferry terminal washed away
Tenakee Springs: 15 homes destroyed, 7 houses damaged (out of 50), 20 people left homeless, raw sewage concern at the bathhouse, small sawmill damaged, 30 boats lost, 40 national guardsmen sent to help with recovery
Hoonah: Roof at a cannery outside of town damaged, swivel pin on the approach at the ferry terminal damaged, roads and airport damaged