By Jasz Garrett and Jordan Lewis
Wrangell, Alaska (KINY) – Multiple state agencies and non-profit organizations continue to assist the community of Wrangell, Alaska after a landslide destroyed three homes off the Zimovia Highway.
Three people have died and one adult was located alive and in good condition Tuesday. Two minors and one adult remain missing.
All search teams have departed the slide area for the night as of 5:20 p.m. Wednesday. Three individuals remain missing (one adult and two juveniles).
A search strategy for Thursday will be announced in the morning. The Alaska Department of Public Safety appreciates the local, state, and federal government agencies and countless volunteers who participated in the search Wednesday.
Areas of the slide remain unstable and active, and Alaska State Troopers continue to ask the public to please stay off the slide.
The State Emergency Operations Center is operating at Level 2 and is providing state-level coordination for the response effort. On Tuesday, an Emergency Management Specialist flew to Wrangell to assist with on-scene emergency coordination.
The Incident Commander for the state emergency operation center, Mark Roberts, said Governor Mike Dunleavy has declared a state disaster for this incident.
“Right now, the major focus is on search and rescue. We are doing everything that we can to support that,” Roberts said. “As well as being postured to take care of ongoing response, mass care needs, and recovery.”
Ground teams made up of K9s and ground search teams are actively working to search areas that state geologists have determined as safe for entry. sUAS drones with advanced imaging capabilities are searching from the air.
Geologist with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Barrett Salisbury, was asked during a press conference what possible mitigation efforts could be taken for the future.
“There are things that we can do ahead of time, like monitoring meteorologic input and soil moisture conditions, monitoring degradation of things like permafrost in certain areas. And where we know we have repeat debris flows, we can engineer structures to help deflect them when they’re moving,” he said. “Those aren’t foolproof. Other countries like Japan, where these things are quite common, they have extensive systems of metal nets to keep large debris from repeatedly striking the same areas. And so, they can kind of deflect some of that.”
He said those systems take extensive upfront research and extensive money to maintain.
“And then, when those systems are effective, they’re effectively destroyed and need to be rebuilt. So, it’s a huge effort to do that. But it is possible,” Salisbury said.
Below are updates from each participating agency:
Department of Public Safety – Search and rescue efforts resumed Wednesday morning. Searchers on the ground are being assisted by K9 teams from Wrangell, Petersburg, and Juneau.
Wrangell residents interested in assisting in the search and rescue efforts are asked to contact the Wrangell Police Department at (907) 874-3304 to sign up to assist.
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities – DOT drone operators continue to search using small unmanned aerial systems. DOT is waiting until search operations conclude before beginning efforts to reopen the highway.
Once DOT is given the go-ahead to start clearing, both state and private sector resources will begin the debris removal process. DOT will share a timeline for reopening the highway at that time.
Department of Natural Resources – DNR has three geologists on site, conducting an assessment of the area to ensure safety of searchers.
Borough of Wrangell – The Wrangell Borough published a list of resources for residents impacted by the landslide.
Behavioral Health Counseling Services (SEARHC) 877-294-0074
Available Shelters
• Stikine Inn (907) 874-3388
• Sourdough Lodge (907) 305-1095
• Trident Bunkhouse (907) 874-3346
Power Outage
Power has been restored to 9-mile. Once there is an estimated time that the power will be restored south of the landslide area, the public will be notified.
Tongass National Forest – The Tongass National Forest is transporting supplies to the south side of the landslide via boat.
Tlingit Tribe – The Tlingit Tribe delivered a Starlink system to the south side of the landslide to help with communications during the response.
Salvation Army – The Salvation Army has two members in Wrangell who are working with the community to serve a Thanksgiving dinner to those impacted by the landslide.
The Red Cross – The Red Cross is planning to send an emergency response team to Wrangell to assist with damage assessments and other services.
