Powerful storm rips off roofs, floods Nome, Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A powerful Bering Sea storm hit western Alaska early Wednesday with high winds and surging seas.

The National Weather Service office in Fairbanks has received reports of some roofs blowing off in Nome where water reached the base of buildings.

Meteorologist Scott Berg says some homes close to ocean have been evacuated, but there are no reports of injuries. He says a storm surge could bring more severe flooding later Wednesday in the Nome area.

Berg says blizzard conditions prevailed overnight in quite a few places with sustained winds of 60 mph and gusts to 80.