"Because we don't have shore-fast ice this time of year, that's what's significant," he said. "Just hasn't got cold enough yet. We have open water generally until the first of December."
The unusual storm had western Alaska bracing Tuesday. Tiny coastal communities were at particular risk for damage from wind and expected flooding.
Winds had already reached 80 mph late Tuesday, said Neil Murakami, a National Weather Service forecaster in Anchorage.
The storm surge could produce 7-foot rise in sea levels, which would cause heavy flooding, meteorologist Stephen Kearney in Fairbanks said.
State emergency management officials said some residents in the storm's path headed for emergency shelters Tuesday.
State officials warned residents in harm's way to secure home heating fuel tanks in case sea water flooded into communities.
The windows were boarded up Tuesday morning at the Polar Cafe, a popular restaurant that faces the ocean in Nome.
Items stored in the basement had been carried upstairs and were in one of the hotel rooms, said waitress Andrea Surina. Plans were being made to move the propane tanks to a safer spot, she said.
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