Cordova, Alaska: So much CO2-induced dryness that only more than 18 feet of snow have fallen in recent weeks

Alaska town tries to dig out from huge snow dump

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- The small Alaska fishing town of Cordova is used to dealing with excessive snow - but not like this. Residents have turned to the state to help them dig out of massive snow levels that have collapsed roofs, triggered avalanches and even covered doors, trapping some people in their homes.

"There's nowhere to go with the snow because it's piled up so high," said Wendy Rainney, who owns the Orca Adventure Lodge. A storage building for the lodge - which offers fishing trips, hiking, kayaking and glacier tours - partially collapsed under the weight of the snow, she said.

"This is more quantity than can be handled."

The Alaska National Guard reported more than 18 feet of snow has fallen on Cordova in the past weeks, although the National Weather Service did not immediately have a measurement.

Officials said at least three buildings have collapsed or partially collapsed and six homes are deemed severely stressed by heavy wet snow.

Masters: "It Is Very Likely That This Has Been the Driest First Week of January in U.S. Recorded History" | ThinkProgress

The strangely warm and dry start to winter is not limited to the U.S