Wind storm closes Anchorage schools, UA Anchorage

Preston Hughes of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities jumps in to clear a downed cottonwood tree from Providence Drive as a storm system delivers gusting winds Tuesday evening in Anchorage. (AP Photo/The Anchorage Daily News/Erik Hill)

High winds predicted by the National Weather Service knocked out power in parts of Anchorage on Tuesday night and early Wednesday.

KTUU-TV (http://bit.ly/Q7L6je) reports the Anchorage School District and the University of Alaska Anchorage will keep their doors closed because of disruption from the storm.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Sean Parnell, Sharon Leighow, also confirms that nonessential state workers were ordered to stay home and state offices will not immediately open Wednesday morning. She says that could change as the day progresses.

The wind also affected telephone service and knocked down trees along roads.