AlHijjah 13, 1432, Nov 9, 2011, SPA -- High winds and surging waves pummeled Alaska's western coast Wednesday, churning the Bering Sea and forcing residents of Nome and isolated native villages to seek higher ground inland. "We do have some reports of buildings losing roofs in the Nome area," AP quoted meteorologist Scott Berg at the National Weather Service in Fairbanks as saying. "Also water at the base of buildings in Nome." Nome Communications officer Zane Brown says the height of snow and hurricane-force winds hit at about 2 a.m. He says the city continues to prepare for a possible Bering Sea surge at high tide later in the morning, but so far damage is minimal. Brown says a voluntary evacuation moved residents from beachfront businesses and homes to shelters at a community center and a church. Planning section chief Mark Roberts of the state emergency operations center tells KTUU-TV that west coast communities were reporting isolated power and communications interruptions. But he says it's too early for a complete picture of damage.
