At least three people including a little girl have been killed after a landslide hit a remote Alaskan town – as rescuers desperately search for three people still missing.
The landslide at 9pm Monday hit Zimovia Highway near Wrangell, a small fishing community with about 2,000 people on an island south of Juneau.
It claimed lives of three people and left two children and one adult missing after it struck three homes directly in its path below the mountain.
‘The body of one deceased individual was located during the hasty search,’ the state’s Department of Public Safety said.
Authorities later confirmed that the bodies of two adults were found by a drone operator late Tuesday.
The landslide, which killed three and left at least three people missing, occurred around 9pm on Monday near Wrangell, a small fishing community with about 2,000 residents in southeast Alaska
it struck three single-family residences directly in its path, authorities said on Tuesday
Ground search efforts and rescue mission have been paused in Wrangell (pictured before the landslide) as the slide area was still considered active and additional slides were possible
‘This is very much still a search and rescue operation,’ Alaska State Trooper spokesperson Austin McDaniel said Tuesday.
‘We are approaching it with that in mind, and I know that all of our teams on the ground both volunteer are looking at it with the same with the same lens.’
A woman was successfully rescued from the landslide area Tuesday morning and was reported to be in good condition while receiving medical care.
‘Multiple individuals are believed to have been within the slide area when the landslide occurred and are believed to be missing,’ authorities added.
The 450-feet-wide landslide came after a severe storm hit the area over the weekend, with more than three inches of rain falling around Wrangell in the 24 hours.
Phone service was down after the slide, which also cut off access and power to approximately 75 homes, according to the state emergency management office.
According to the statement, ground search efforts and rescue mission have been paused as the slide area was still considered active and additional slides were possible.
A state geologist would have to assess the site to ensure safety before the proceeding of further large search efforts.
Wrangell interim borough manager Mason Villarma told The Associated Press: ‘Our community is resilient. And it always comes together for tragedies like this. We’re broken, but resilient and determined to find everybody that’s missing.’
The 450-feet-wide landslide came after a severe storm hit the area over the weekend, with more than three inches of rain falling around Wrangell in the 24 hours
Phone service was down after the slide, which also cut off access and power to approximately 75 homes, according to the state emergency management office
‘Parts of the slide have been opened for search and rescue professionals, but in limited spots,” Villarma said.
‘There’s two of them that are able to work in those areas with a cadaver dog. And there was also heat-sensing drones, so those are operational.’
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said Tuesday morning that a geologist, a drone expert, and a heavy equipment operator landed in the region to assist in the search.
No ground search has resumed as of Tuesday evening, but air searches can continue, according to the Alaska State Troopers.
Alaska Gov. 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 pray for the safety of all those on site and offer all the resources our state has available,’ he said in a statement on social media.
No ground search has resumed as of Tuesday evening, but air searches can continue, according to the Alaska State Troopers
Alaska residents are expressing their prayers and support for the families and friends affected by the tragic landslide on social media
Troopers also asked all residents living between mile 11 and the end of the pavement, including those caught on the other side of the slide to evacuate.
Alaska residents are expressing their prayers and support for the families and friends affected by the tragic landslide on social media.
‘For those who haven’t heard, there was a big mud slide in Wrangell, Alaska. Homes gone, people missing. It’s devastating and my heart hurts,’ one user wrote.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area and to promptly report any missing persons.
Aaron Jacobs, a hydrologist and meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Juneau, said heavy rains in the past 24 hours led up to the landslide.
Wrangell received around two inches of rain from 1am to 8pm Monday, accompanied by wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph at higher elevations.
A strong storm hit southeast Alaska recently, bringing heavy snow to some places and blizzard-like conditions to Juneau.