Valdez in northern Alaska is used to battling against the elements. The town was relocated in 1964 after en earthquake and tidal wave completely record snowfall for the whole continent of nort america -7.7 metres per year. Snow and ice are part of daily life for alaskans. Many towns, including the state capital juneau, are accessible only by sea or by air, as roads either don't exist or are blocked for most of the year. Some houses are built without excavating any foundations, most have special strong roofs to support the snow and feature such as windows that only open inwards so that they aren't ripped off by the arctic wind.