The instability of landslide debris is delaying a search for three men believed to be dead after they were buried at a construction site in a rain-saturated Alaska coastal town. Flooding caused a sinkhole in the main area of town, Schmitt said. If the landslide area is determined to be safe, they will begin removing the debris and looking for the bodies of the victims.
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More heavy rain was expected into the weekend.
Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management officials said the state emergency operation center had been tracking the landslides since 10 a.m., speaking with Sitka officials on the ground.
Sitka, nearly 600 miles southeast of Anchorage, is a picturesque cruise ship destination and Pacific Ocean fishing community of more than 9,000 people.
The three reported missing are William Stortz, 61, and two brothers, Ulises and Elmer Diaz, 25 and 26, KTUU reported. “Tragedies like this are never easy to cope with, but I was heartened to see so many volunteers and first responders working hard to bring comfort to their fellow Sitka residents”. “I’ve lived here a long time, and I can’t remember anything like this happening”, he said.
People have been evacuated from the affected areas and private property and roads have been damaged, according to Peterson. By screening submissions, we provide a space where readers can share intelligent and informed commentary that enhances the quality of our news and information.
Chris Harshey, who is a carpenter, was working on a nearby home Tuesday when he heard the trees and earth fall from the mountain.
Logs, mud and other debris have collected at the end of the slide area, and officials were considering whether to use large boulders to form a barrier to stop further movement. He saw the slide destroy a home nearly 200 yards above him and damage another.
The people who were unaccounted for were all in the same neighborhood hit by one of the landslides, Sitka fire spokeswoman Sara Peterson said. The structure was completely obliterated by the landslide which struck Tuesday morning (8-18-15).
Homes in town have been flooded, and there were reports of people not being able to reach their houses or leave their neighborhood, Zidek said.
Residents of about 20 homes near the construction site and at a downslope neighborhood were evacuated. Gov. Bill Walker is set to survey the damage in Sitka Wednesday. “Our prayers are going to go out to all those in Sitka”, he said.
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Kreiss-Tomkins recalled a landslide in May 2013 during which a Sitka couple narrowly escaped a cabin as a massive piece of mountain above it gave way.
