The largest populated city in Alaska is still recovering from the hurricane-force winds that battered homes and infrastructure on Sunday, leaving thousands without power.

While Anchorage may not be getting much snow this winter, plenty of it is falling in several southern states. Four inches of snow had fallen in New Orleans, Louisiana, as of Tuesday afternoon and more was still falling,

Thousands of residents across Alaska’s largest city remain without power Monday, a day after a powerful storm brought hurricane-force winds that downed power lines and caused a pedestrian bridge over a highway to partially collapse.

As Anchorage navigates through a warmer-than-usual winter, meteorologists predict a continuation of the milder temperatures.

The 34th Alaska State Legislature gaveled in, electing leadership and setting priorities, including education funding, retirement plans, election updates, and energy challenges.

With aligned majorities in the House and Senate, priorities are set to include education funding, public pensions and election reform.

The Senate reelected Kodiak Republican Sen. Gary Stevens to serve as president of the Senate and leader of a bipartisan majority. Meanwhile, the Alaska House swung from a Republican-dominated majority to a bipartisan majority with the election of Dillingham independent Rep. Bryce Edgmon as speaker in a 21-19 vote.

Alaska legislators on Friday unveiled a second batch of measures that were prefiled ahead of Tuesday's start to the legislative session. Eighty-one measures were announced last week. A further 20 bills were unveiled Friday — 10 are set to be introduced in the state Senate and 10 in the House.

NWS Alaska meteorologist Tim Markle said the warnings are designed to let community members know when the cold weather presents a risk to the community. However, the old system set wind chill warnings and advisories, which were statewide in scope, and only kicked in when there was a wind chill.

House and Senate leaders say a bill that increases education funding is likely to be a first priority for the Legislature this year.

SkyTeam alliance member Delta Air Lines is pulling out of smaller Alaskan airports in favor of major ones, and Alaska Airlines is adding service to the contiguous U.S.