Ketchikan authorities ask people to avoid area of fatal landslide as experts assess secondary slide risk

A deadly landslide successful Ketchikan connected Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, seen connected nan Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s website. (Ketchikan Gateway Borough)

Last updated: 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 26

Officials successful Ketchikan opportunity immoderate residents who were evacuated pursuing Sunday’s landslide on nan Third Avenue Bypass tin return. 

“Residents connected First Ave whitethorn return to their homes, and First Ave is unfastened to nan public,” metropolis and borough officials said successful a news release. “The removal bid remains successful effect for homes connected West Third Ave and Second Ave. from Austin Street to 1898 Second Ave. until further notice. Return to these areas will beryllium based, by address, connected recommendations of geologists.”

Power was restored to First Avenue homes betwixt Austin Street and Tongass Avenue Monday afternoon, and officials opportunity they expect restoring powerfulness to much homes from nan 1700 artifact of Second Avenue to White Cliff Avenue later connected Monday.

The landslide that crossed Ketchikan’s Third Avenue Bypass destroyed 4 homes successful a comparatively densely populated area Sunday afternoon, sidesplitting astatine slightest 1 personification and injuring 3 more.

RELATED: Ketchikan residents picture a chaotic segment successful nan hours aft fatal landslide

Local authorities identified nan man who died arsenic Sean Griffin, a elder attraction technician pinch nan metropolis of Ketchikan who was clearing large wind drains successful nan area erstwhile nan landslide struck. 

“It was his committedness to nan organization that caused him to respond to nan telephone for assistance during his scheduled clip off,” Ketchikan’s metropolis and borough governments said successful a associated statement. “Sean is remembered for his dedication, affirmative spirit, and unwavering devotion to his family, his friends, and to nan community.”

Geologists assessed ungraded successful nan descent area and flew drones providing 3D and infrared measurements connected Monday. The descent area was measured to beryllium 1,100 feet agelong and 250 feet wide, covering astir 550 vertical feet, nan metropolis and borough said. 

Borough Mayor Rodney Dial told KRBD earlier connected Monday that nan geologists’ study would find erstwhile it’s safe for betterment efforts to begin.

“The concern, of course, is that erstwhile you person a awesome descent for illustration this, astatine nan very least, it has nan capacity of causing nan crushed connected nan contiguous edges of that to go little stable,” Dial said Monday morning.

Geologists are evaluating a smaller landslide connected Copper Ridge Lane “to find nan level of consequence for that area,” officials said.

The Federal Aviation Administration has temporarily restricted flights complete nan area of nan landslide for helicopters, float planes, backstage planes, and drones to let authorities geologists to behaviour drone assessments of nan descent zone. Alaska Airlines flights will proceed to operate, according to nan borough.

School has been canceled done astatine slightest Wednesday. City accommodation were group to reopen Tuesday, though nan borough’s White Cliff Building, adjacent nan slide, will stay closed until further notice. 

The descent led officials to evacuate astir 60 homes, officials said Monday evening.

The metropolis and borough asked evacuees who request to participate their homes to notify nan Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center astatine (907) 228-2383 earlier returning to nan area.

An emergency shelter astatine Ketchikan High School is staffed pinch aesculapian unit and afloat stocked pinch food, bedding, necessities and has plentifulness of abstraction available, authorities said. Local officials said 12 group stayed astatine nan shelter Sunday night, and much had stopped by to entree resources.

Road closures include:

• Third Avenue from Library to Washington Street
• 1700 Block of Second Avenue/Water Street to Austin Street
• White Cliff Avenue

The celebrated Rainbird Trail is besides closed aft a conception was damaged successful nan slide.

Responding to what she described arsenic “public concerns regarding nan beingness of cruise ships successful port,” Ketchikan City Manager Delilah Walsh said nan city’s downtown cruise vessel docks were not threatened by nan slide.

“Cruise lines were informed of nan emergency, and astatine slightest 1 statement opted to cancel statement excursions/tours. The determination to proceed aliases suspend operations is yet up to individual companies, circuit providers, and downtown businesses. If location is nary wellness aliases information issue, nan City will not intervene into business decisions aliases impede commerce for our section businesses,” Walsh said successful a social media message.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared a disaster for nan landslide area Sunday night. People affected by nan landslide whitethorn beryllium eligible for assistance done nan Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

The division’s State Individual Assistance and Temporary Housing programs are accepting applications from “survivors pinch damages aliases emergency expenses” related to nan landslide, nan metropolis and borough said. Registration is disposable by telephone astatine (844) 445-7131 aliases connected the division’s website.

Additional updates will beryllium provided connected the borough’s website for landslide information, authorities said. Text alerts are disposable done Nixle by texting 99901 to 888-777.