overnight
Snowzilla the giant snowman came back from the dead, bigger than ever, this morning after some determined pranksters defied city orders and rebuilt him overnight.
Until yesterday, the controversial and world-famous snowman was a pile of snow debris in an East Anchorage front yard.
Snowzilla seemed to be a dead issue after city code enforcers declared it a nuisance and safety hazard a few weeks ago -- before this winter's version was constructed.
Officials banned Snowzilla's creators, the Powers family, from "the building, enlargement or any other action ascribed with the construction of the extraordinarily large snowman," according to the city order.
Nevertheless, Snowzilla is back in a big way. It's about 25 feet tall, sporting a new corncob pipe and carrot nose.
It's clear the snowman was built quickly: It's looking a little lumpier than it did in previous incarnations.
If city enforcers pay Snowzilla a visit today, homeowner Billy Powers said, he will tell them the snowman's return was the result of Christmas magic.
Lead code enforcement officer Richard Fern said it's unlikely the city will take any immediate action, but he's awaiting final word from higher-ups.
Fern said the reason the city got involved was because of angry complaints from a neighbor last year. The city didn't do anything about it then but decided to take action a few weeks ago after it looked like the snowman was going to be even taller this year.
Powers declined to discuss who built the snowman or how many people helped it appear "magically" overnight. He declined to say whether his own family was involved.
Snowzilla has never before been built so quickly, he said.
Several people who drove by the Powers house this morning gave the monster snowman a big smile and thumbs-up.
"I think it's sad that we live in a community that would stop someone from building a snowman," said Jason Palmer, who stopped for a moment to check out Snowzilla while making a flower delivery in the neighborhood.