Alaska’s governor issued a disaster declaration Monday morning following a landslide in the city of Ketchikan that killed at least one person and injured three others.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the residents of Ketchikan tonight,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy said as he issued the declaration to activate the state’s “Public Assistance” and “Individual Assistance” disaster recovery programs.
“In addition to the disaster declaration, I have directed state agencies to make available all resources and staff for the response effort.”
The area around the original landslide has been evacuated as the potential for another slide remains high, authorities said in a press release.
“Friends, [it] is with a heavy heart we relay that a landslide in the city has taken a life, caused several injuries, damaged homes, and impacted our community,” said Ketchikan Gateway Borough Mayor Rodney Dial in the Sunday evening statement.
Three people were taken to the Ketchikan Medical Center for treatment. One person was treated and released, while the other two were admitted, officials said. No reports of missing people have come in.
“Know we will do everything we can to recover from this event as quickly as possible and help those in need,” said Dial.
The landslide occurred around 4 p.m. on Sunday after heavy rains fell in the area. According to the National Weather Service, Ketchikan received over 2.5 inches of rain in the 36 hours leading up to 10 a.m. on Monday, with some areas in the nearby mountains reporting between 5 and 9 inches of rain over the same period.
Though the heaviest rainfall ended Sunday night, local showers continued to be expected through Monday.
“In my 65 years in Ketchikan, I have never seen a slide of this magnitude,” Ketchikan Mayor Dave Kiffer said.
“With the slides we have seen across the region, there is clearly a region-wide issue that we need to try to understand with the support of our State geologist,” he said. “The loss of life that we have encountered is heartbreaking, and my heart goes out to those who lost their homes.”
The landslide blocked roads and damaged houses while knocking out several power lines in the area, with phone and internet lines also affected.
Local utility company KPU Electric reported that by 8:15 p.m. local time on Sunday, it had repaired all power lines that could be restored safely. For other lines, the repairs would have to wait until roads are safely cleared of dirt and debris, which could take days.
In the meantime, the evacuation order remains in effect for several streets in the city.
Ketchikan High School was set up as an emergency shelter, and is “fully stocked with supplies, bedding, food, and necessities,” authorities said.
A Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management response specialist and Department of Transportation personnel will travel to Ketchikan on Tuesday, as Alaska State Troopers and Wildlife Troopers have been called in to assist.
Ketchikan City and Borough city hall and public offices remained closed Monday.