Governor Mike Dunleavy has verbally declared a disaster declaration for the landslide that struck Ketchikan. The landslide struck the city at approximately 4:00 p.m. this afternoon (August 25th, 2024) damaging homes and infrastructure. The State Emergency Operation Center is staffed and aiding the city.
“In addition to the disaster declaration, I have directed state agencies to make available all resources and staff for the response effort,” said Governor Dunleavy. “My thoughts and prayers are with the residents of Ketchikan tonight.”
An evacuation order for areas near the landslide has been issued and a shelter has been opened at the high school. The City of Ketchikan, Ketchikan Fire Department, Ketchikan Borough and other agencies are actively responding. The Ketchikan Borough has activated their Emergency Operation Center. A Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Response Specialist and a Department of Transportation personnel will travel to Ketchikan tomorrow morning. An Alaska State Troopers and an Alaska Wildlife Troopers assisting with Search and Rescue.
The disaster declaration activates the state’s disaster Public Assistance and Individual Assistance disaster recovery programs. The Public Assistance program reimburses communities and jurisdictions for emergency response costs, emergency protective measures, and can fund repair of critical infrastructure damaged by the declared disaster event. The Individual Assistance program provides grants to individuals and families with damage to their primary homes or transportation, disaster related medical expenses, or other eligible disaster related expenses. Temporary Housing is also available for displaced residents.
An update from the Ketchikan Gateway Borough has confirmed one fatality. Three individuals were transported to the Ketchikan Medical Center, one was treated and released. The other two have been admitted.
“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. As we work through this, please keep the affected families in your prayers and know we will do everything we can to recover from this event as quickly as possible and help those in need. We sincerely appreciate the first responders, medical personnel, volunteers, businesses and others offering assistance.” – Rodney Dial, Ketchikan Gateway Borough Mayor
“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. The loss of life that we have encountered is heartbreaking, and my heart goes out to those who lost their homes.” – Dave Kiffer, Cityof Ketchikan Mayor
At this time all individuals have been accounted for.
