A devastating landslide struck the city of Ketchikan, Alaska, on Sunday, claiming one life and injuring three others. The disaster occurred at approximately 4 p.m. local time, destroying several homes and putting part of the city’s population at risk.
City officials swiftly responded by issuing a mandatory evacuation order for the affected area. A local community center and Ketchikan High School were converted into shelters to accommodate those displaced by the disaster. Emergency personnel were also on high alert, monitoring the situation for signs of a potential second landslide.
Heavy rainfall in the area over the weekend created the perfect conditions for the landslide, and officials warned that more rain was expected on Monday. Ketchikan Mayor Dave Kiffer described the landslide as the worst he had seen in his 65 years in the city.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state of disaster, mobilizing state agencies to provide assistance to the affected area. “I have directed state agencies to make available all resources and staff for the response effort,” Dunleavy said in a statement.
Dunleavy also took to social media to update the public on the situation, expressing his thoughts and prayers for the residents of Ketchikan. Senator Lisa Murkowski also offered her support, urging those in the affected area to follow evacuation orders and seek shelter at the designated emergency centers.
Ketchikan, a city of nearly 14,000 people, is located in the southern part of Alaska, along the Inside Passage. The city has a history of landslides, which have caused significant damage and loss of life in recent years. According to Alaska’s Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, landslides have resulted in tens of millions of dollars in damage and claimed 11 lives in Southeast Alaska over the past decade.
