KETCHIKAN, Alaska – A devastating landslide in Ketchikan, Alaska, has left one person dead and three others injured, sparking a mandatory evacuation order. The incident, which occurred around 4 p.m. on Sunday, resulted in significant damage to homes and infrastructure in the area.
Following the landslide, three individuals were taken to Ketchikan Medical Center for treatment. The Ketchikan Gateway Borough and City of Ketchikan issued a joint statement expressing deep concern for the impacted community. Alaska Governor, Mike Dunleavy, declared a state of emergency for Ketchikan, while Borough Mayor Rodney Dial and city Mayor Dave Kiffer each issued separate emergency declarations.
Mayor Dial conveyed the heartbreaking news of the loss of life and injuries caused by the landslide, emphasizing the significant impact on the community. Mayor Kiffer, reflecting on his decades-long residency in Ketchikan, noted the unprecedented magnitude of the landslide and stressed the need for a thorough understanding of the geological factors at play.
The aftermath of the disaster saw two individuals admitted to the hospital, with one being treated and released. Multiple homes were damaged, prompting a mandatory evacuation for residents of Third Avenue and nearby streets. A shelter was set up at Ketchikan High School to accommodate those displaced by the event.
Efforts to address the situation included identifying a potential secondary landslide area to the south of the initial location. Power restoration began in some affected areas, although others remained without power as crews worked to clear debris and replace damaged infrastructure. Local and state agencies, alongside federal responders, collaborated to manage the crisis in the southeastern Alaskan city, located approximately 297 miles south of the state capital, Juneau.
As the community rallied to support those affected by the landslide, Governor Dunleavy directed state agencies to deploy all necessary resources and personnel. The gravity of the situation prompted the involvement of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, underscoring the coordinated response to the disaster in Ketchikan.