High winds brought down this tree onto a garage along Settlers Bay Road, adding to the growing list of storm damage across the Valley. Alaska Headline Living ©️
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | December 2025
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEY – A powerful, prolonged windstorm continues to hammer the Mat-Su, leaving thousands without electricity, damaging businesses, and stressing emergency response efforts as crews work around the clock. The National Weather Service (NWS) has maintained a High Wind Warning for the region, with gusts exceeding 70–80+ mph, knocking trees onto homes, blocking roads, and taking down power lines faster than utilities can restore them.
Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) crews remain deployed throughout the Valley as outages surge and recede with each wave of extreme gusts. MEA’s outage map, now dotted across Palmer, Wasilla, Big Lake, Meadow Lakes, Sutton, Talkeetna, KGB Road, and outer subdivisions, shows the storm’s wide footprint and the challenge of stabilizing lines in dangerous conditions.
Businesses Hit Hard: Roof Damage in Settlers Bay and Wasilla Walmart
The winds have inflicted significant structural damage, including roof failures and debris hazards:
- Settlers Bay businesses reported substantial wind-caused roof damage, prompting closures as crews assess safety.
- The Wasilla Walmart temporarily shut down after wind ripped sections of its roof off, scattering debris across the parking lot.
Both incidents underscore the storm’s unusually destructive force and the risks large commercial buildings face under prolonged high winds.
On the Ground: Road Hazards, Signal Failures, and Emergency Shelters
According to Alaska 511 and local officials, multiple intersections are experiencing traffic signal outages, and debris from fallen trees continues to disrupt local roads.
Emergency shelters were activated by the American Red Cross in coordination with the Mat-Su Borough, supporting residents displaced by both structural damage and extended power loss. A recent structure fire during the wind event displaced additional households, adding strain to response efforts.
Valley Residents Speak Out: “We Are in the Dark”
Hundreds of Mat-Su residents have turned to Alaska Headline Living’s Facebook page to share real-time updates, frustrations, and pleas for information as the outage stretches past 24 hours in some neighborhoods.
Here are some of the voices from across the Valley:
Settlers Bay
- “The power just came back on in Settlers Bay …”
- “6:20 pm… is the power still out in Settlers Bay?” — Ed Bennett
- “Out near Settlers Bay.” — David McDaniel
Palmer
- “Power out in Palmer since about 9:45 am.” — Loree Rayback
- “Trunk in Palmer right behind 3 Bears is still out.” — Kenny Mckee
Wasilla / Airport / KGB Corridor
- “No power since after 5 am over by the Wasilla Airport / Foothills Rd area.” — Susan Hayes
- “Out around 5 am and still out — Clapp and KGB.” — Kiera Richardson
- “Amberwood subdivision is still out.” — Lisa Hilty
- “Power out on Engstrom Road — Settlement Avenue area.” — Mary Anderson
Tri-Lakes Area
- “We’ve been out for 2 hours and 47 minutes… heat slowly depleting… hoping for a power return.” — Chery Schultz Manning
Sutton / Glenn Corridor
- “Still out in Sutton. Prayers of safety for all and especially our linemen out there.” — Earl Melody Houser
Big Lake / Meadow Lakes
- “Power still on in Meadow Lakes.” — Zachary Michael Adams
- “Power outage on South Lower Road.” — Grant Thompson
Hatcher Pass / Soapstone
- “Tree just fell on my house. Porch swing in the garden and gutters shot!” – Christina Michels
Glacier View
- “We have been out since 4:30 this morning.” — Sandra Parker St John
Residents Enduring Long Durations
- “Is any progress at all being made? Seems the outages are rising rather than going down.” – Stephen Bowerman
- “We have been out since yesterday at 10 am.” – Chris Angell
- “We are in the dark. Lol.” – Deborah Price
These firsthand accounts offer a stark picture of how widespread and prolonged the outage has become, with some neighborhoods reporting nearly a full day without heat or lights.
High Wind Warning Remains in Effect
The National Weather Service warns that damaging winds will continue through Monday afternoon, affecting:
- Palmer
- Wasilla
- Big Lake
- Sutton
- Chickaloon
- Knik River corridor
- Hatcher Pass
- Surrounding communities
With frozen ground and extremely dry surfaces, additional falling trees and blowing debris remain significant hazards.
What Residents Should Do
- Check MEA’s outage map for live restoration updates.
- Prepare for extended outages in some areas as winds continue to impede repairs.
- Report downed power lines immediately, keep distance, and avoid tree-fall zones.
- Monitor Alaska 511 for road conditions and intersection hazards.
- Use warming centers and shelters if home heat becomes unsafe.
- Support vulnerable neighbors, especially elderly or medically fragile residents.
