At least one person is dead and five are missing after a massive landslide destroyed a mountainside and wiped out a remote Alaskan town.
The landslide struck the Zimovia Highway near Wrangell, a small fishing community of about 2,000 on an island south of Juneau, at 9 p.m. Monday.
The landslide claimed the life of a girl and left several people missing after hitting three single-family homes directly in its path, authorities said Tuesday.
“During the hurried search, the body of a deceased person was located,” the state Department of Public Security said.
“It is believed that several persons were in the area when the landslide occurred and are missing,” the statement said.
The landslide, which killed a girl and left at least five people missing, occurred around 9 p.m. Monday near Wrangell, a small fishing community of about 2,000 in southeastern Alaska.
It struck three single-family homes directly in its path, authorities said Tuesday
Ground search efforts and rescue mission paused in Wrangell (photo before landslide) as the slide area was still considered active and additional shifts were possible
The 450-foot-wide landslide came after a severe storm hit the area over the weekend, dumping more than two inches of rain around Wrangell in 24 hours.
Phone service was lost after the landslide, which also cut access and power to about 75 homes, the state emergency management agency said.
According to the statement, ground search efforts and the rescue mission were paused because the slide area was still considered active and additional slides were possible.
A state geologist would need to assess the site to ensure safety before further major search efforts can be undertaken.
Wrangell interim city manager Mason Villarma said The Associated Press: ‘Our community is resilient. And in tragedies like this it always comes together. We are broken, but resilient and determined to find everyone who is missing.”
The 450-foot-wide landslide came after a severe storm hit the area last weekend, dumping more than two inches of rain around Wrangell in 24 hours.
Telephone service went out after the disaster, which also cut access and power to about 75 homes, the state’s emergency management agency said.
“Parts of the slide are open to search and rescue professionals, but in limited areas,” Villarma said.
“There are two who can work with a cadaver dog in those areas. And there were also heat-sensitive drones, so they are operational.’
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said Tuesday morning that a geologist, a drone expert and a heavy equipment operator have landed in the region to assist in the search.
According to Alaska State Troopers, ground investigations have not been conducted as of Tuesday evening, but aerial investigations may continue.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a disaster declaration for Wrangell after the deadly landslide, saying he and his wife were praying for all those affected.
“Rose and I are heartbroken by this disaster and we are praying for the safety of everyone on the ground and offering all resources our state has available,” he said in a statement on social media.
According to Alaska State Troopers, ground investigations have not been conducted as of Tuesday evening, but aerial investigations may continue
Alaska residents are taking to social media to express their prayers and support for the families and friends affected by the tragic landslide
Troopers also asked all residents living between mile 11 and the end of the sidewalk, including those trapped on the other side of the slide, to evacuate.
Alaska residents are taking to social media to express their prayers and support for the families and friends affected by the tragic landslide.
“For those who haven’t heard, there was a big mudslide in Wrangell, Alaska. Houses disappeared, people missing. It’s devastating and my heart hurts,” one user wrote.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area and report missing persons immediately.
Aaron Jacobs, a hydrologist and meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Juneau, said heavy rain over the past 24 hours led to the landslide.
Wrangell received about two inches of rain from 1 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, accompanied by wind gusts of up to 60 mph at higher elevations.
Southeast Alaska was recently hit by a strong storm, bringing heavy snow in some places and Juneau to blizzard-like conditions.