Alaska's damaging winds
Instead of hurricanes and tornadoes, Alaska property owners deal with several distinct wind patterns:
- Chugach downslope winds. Strong easterly winds can accelerate down the Chugach Mountains onto the Anchorage Hillside, Eagle River and Chugiak. Gusts well above 70 mph have been recorded in past events.
- Matanuska and Knik winds. Cold air funneling out of the Matanuska and Knik valleys hits Palmer, Butte and parts of Wasilla hard, especially in fall and winter.
- Turnagain Arm and Thompson Pass gap winds that affect the Seward Highway corridor and Valdez area.
- Coastal and Bering Sea storms, including the remnants of former typhoons, which bring wind together with surge along western and northern coasts.
The January 2025 windstorm that hit parts of Anchorage and the Mat-Su with gusts near 100 mph is a recent reminder of how widespread wind losses can be.
What windstorm claims usually include
- Shingle and metal roof damage, ridge caps, vents and flashing
- Siding, trim and soffit damage, often on the windward elevations only
- Fences, decks, carports and greenhouses
- Trees falling on structures, plus removal costs and policy limits on debris
- Interior water damage where wind opened the building envelope
Where windstorm disputes come from
Carriers often pay for only the visibly damaged pieces. But siding that is discontinued, shingles that are brittle from age and cold, and roofs where creased tabs are scattered across every slope may justify a larger scope. We document each elevation and slope and price the repair the building actually needs.
Frequently asked questions
Are trees that fall in a windstorm covered?
Damage to the structure from a falling tree is often covered. Removal of the tree itself may be limited to a set amount per tree or per occurrence. Check your policy.
Only one side of my house was damaged. Will they replace all the siding?
It depends on the policy, on matching and on whether the material is still available. This is a frequent appraisal topic.
Is there a special wind deductible in Alaska?
Most Alaska homeowner policies use a standard deductible, but some carry separate percentage or wind deductibles. Your declarations page shows which applies.