Panic in Alaska as deadly landslide kills one and triggers evacuations across the state https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13780495/alaska-deadly-landslide-damage-evacuation.html By Rachel Bowman For Dailymail.Com and Wires

Published: 09:14 EDT, 26 August 2024 | Updated: 15:06 EDT, 26 August 2024

One person was killed and three others were injured in a massive Alaska landslide that prompted a mandatory evacuation.

Several homes, businesses, and roads were destroyed by the landslide in the coastal city of Ketchikan when rock and debris plummeted down a hill around 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared an emergency for Ketchikan, while Borough Mayor Rodney Dial and city Mayor Dave Kiffer issued a separate emergency declaration.

Images show the devastation in the small town of 14,000 people with trees smashed into homes on the hillside and fallen electrical wires on top of cars.

'In my 65 years in Ketchikan, I have never seen a slide of this magnitude. 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,' Kiffer said.

One person was killed and three were injured in a landslide in the coastal city of Ketchikan, Alaska on Sunday + 8 View gallery One person was killed and three were injured in a landslide in the coastal city of Ketchikan, Alaska on Sunday

Images show the devastation in the small town with trees smashed into homes + 8 View gallery Images show the devastation in the small town with trees smashed into homes

Three people were transported to Ketchikan Medical Center following the landslide and one person was found dead.

Two of the victims were admitted to the hospital and one was treated and released.

'Friends, 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 Dial.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered for residents of Third Avenue and nearby streets, while a shelter was set up at Ketchikan High School.

Ketchikan has a population of 14,000 and is known as the Salmon Capital of the World + 8 View gallery Ketchikan has a population of 14,000 and is known as the Salmon Capital of the World

Several homes, businesses, and roads were destroyed when rock and debris plummeted down a hill around 4 p.m. on Sunday + 8 View gallery Several homes, businesses, and roads were destroyed when rock and debris plummeted down a hill around 4 p.m. on Sunday

Electrical wires fell on top of cars and trees crashed through homes + 8 View gallery Electrical wires fell on top of cars and trees crashed through homes

A potential secondary landslide area was identified to the south of the original slide location and crews were standing by.

Power was restored to some affected areas by 8:15 p.m. Other areas will remain without power while the landslide is cleared and broken power poles are replaced, the borough and city said in a joint statement.

A Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Response Specialist and federal Department of Transportation personnel are expected to travel to Ketchikan on Monday, Dunleavy said.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered for residents of Third Avenue and nearby streets + 8 View gallery A mandatory evacuation was ordered for residents of Third Avenue and nearby streets

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared an emergency for Ketchikan, while the borough mayor and the city mayor issued a separate emergency declaration + 8 View gallery Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared an emergency for Ketchikan, while the borough mayor and the city mayor issued a separate emergency declaration

Damaged roads and fall trees are left in the aftermath of the deadly landslide + 8 View gallery Damaged roads and fall trees are left in the aftermath of the deadly landslide

'I have directed state agencies to make available all resources and staff for the response effort,' Dunleavy said, noting the city was receiving assistance from the State Emergency Operations Center.

City and borough facilities including the White Cliff Building, City hall and City offices and KPU public-facing offices are closed on Monday.

Ketchikan is known as the Salmon Capital of the World and is accessible only by air or boat.