Powerful ocean storm blasts Alaska's Aleutian Islands, will chill much of US mainland

(foxnews) - ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Near hurricane-strength winds blasted parts of Alaska's Aleutian Islands as the remnants of Typhoon Nuri moved through the remote region hundreds of miles from the mainland.

Sustained winds of 70 mph and gusts up to 96 mph were recorded Friday morning on Shemya Island, where 120 people had locked themselves indoors to wait out the storm.

The island is home to the U.S. military's Eareckson Air Station, which serves mainly as an early warning radar installation. Acting manager Don Llewellyn said no one was going outside, but people can see light poles waving.

But toward evening, the winds had eased enough to allow personnel to get outside and check for any storm damage, said Tommie Baker, public affairs officer for the Alaskan Command. Full Story