At least one person is dead and more are considered missing after a massive landslide covered three single-family homes along mile 11 of the Zimovia Highway around 9 pm Monday night.
The landslide was first reported shortly before 9:00 pm on Nov. 20, at mile 11 of the Zimovia Highway near Wrangell. Emergency responders from the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Wrangell Police Department, Wrangell Fire Department, US Forest Service, Wrangell Search and Rescue, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and the US Coast Guard immediately responded to the site.
A preliminary survey determined that three single-family residences were directly in the path of the landslide. The first responders started a hasty search to look for survivors.
The body of one deceased individual was located during the search, although multiple individuals are believed to have been within the slide area when the landslide occurred and are believed to be missing.
The Alaska State Troopers have assumed command of the search and rescue effort.
“We posted a release at 9:00 AM this morning that showed the latest information, but at this time that’s all we have to share,” said AST Information Officer, John Dougherty. “We will be posting more information throughout the day.
According to the press update mentioned by Dougherty, the slide remained active through the night, and additional landslides are still considered possible in the area. For this reason, DPS is instructing people not to enter the slide area, and are calling for the immediate evacuation of everyone living between mile 11 of the Zimovia Highway and the end of the pavement.
All the previously mentioned departments are engaged in Search and Rescue under the direction of the Alaska State Troopers, however, search efforts have been halted temporarily until a geologist can be brought in and the slide assessed for safety, given the risk of additional landslides in the area. Crews may use aerial search platforms such as planes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) drones in search efforts today until the ground search can be resumed.
Officials are working on bringing a Southeast Alaska-based geologist into Wrangell today to conduct the assessment.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is bringing in additional personnel and UAS drone equipment from DOT and AST this morning on a chartered aircraft from Juneau.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy said Tuesday morning that he had issued a verbal disaster declaration for the Wrangell landslide. “Rose and I are heartbroken by this disaster and we pray for the safety of all those on site and offer all the resources our state has available,” Dunleavy said.
The disaster follows approximately 3 inches of rainfall over a 24-hour period beginning Monday morning.
Initial measurements indicate the landslide is approximately 200 feet long and stretches from the uplands to the coast. According to local officials, however, the full extent of damage won’t be accurately assessed until the ground is once again considered stable.
The slide also knocked out power to an undefined area, and local power company, Light & Power, does not yet have an estimate for when power will be restored.
If you know someone is currently missing, please call the Wrangell Police Department at (907) 874-3304 to file a missing persons report.
