Wrangell Landslide Search and Rescue Update
December 1, 2023, 9:00 am
At 4:25 p.m. on November 30, 2023, the body of Otto Florschutz was located and recovered from the landslide debris with the assistance of Wrangell Search and Rescue K-9, Wrangell Search and Rescue volunteers, and an excavator. Next of kin and the State Medical Examiner’s Office have been notified. 12-year-old Derek Heller is still missing. Search and Rescue volunteers and a scent detection K9 team continue with reactive searching as any new information or evidence leads to a specific search area.
Wrangell Landslide Update: 11.29.2023
The State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) continues to support the City and Borough of Wrangell’s landslide response. A SEOC Division Supervisor and a Public Information Officer are deployed to Wrangell supporting the community’s ongoing response.
The State’s Individual Assistance Hotline and online website is open for residents of Wrangell and Coffman Cove who have experienced damages to their home or have eligible personal expenses that are a direct result of the landslide. To register go to ready.alaska.gov/ia or call 844-445-7131.
Department of Public Safety – The search for the two remaining missing people is in a reactive status. If new evidence or information suggests that any missing people may be in a specific area in the slide zone, the Alaska State Troopers may restart the active search focused on that new area. Scent detecting K-9s are available.
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities – Yesterday, the Zimovia Hwy was reopened for limited periods to residents who live on the south side of the slide. The Wrangell Police Department is issuing permits to residents who are authorized to pass through the slide area. Openings are scheduled for 8:00 to 8:30 AM, 12:00 to 12:30 PM, and 3:30 to 4:00 PM.
Debris removal and slide stabilization efforts continue. Power has been restored south of the landslide.
Active aerial reconnaissance with unmanned aircraft using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is ongoing. The LiDAR data is used to assess slide stability and safety.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – Following community concern about the Wrangell dam integrity after the landslide, DNR’s Dam Safety Engineer reported the dam is not at imminent risk of failure. DNR’s Dam Safety and Construction Unit within the Division of Mining, Land and Water, continues to support the City and Borough of Wrangell with information about the dam.
DNR’s Division of Geological and Geospatial Survey began helicopter LiDAR surveys of the landslide areas in Wrangell yesterday to provide the community information on the ongoing risk and data for future mitigation.
Red Cross of Alaska – Deployed an Incident Care Condolence Team to Wrangell
Other Landslides – The SEOC is responding to other Southeast Alaska landslides and flooding damages from the November 20, 2023, storm system that impacted Wrangell. Landslide and/or flooding damages are reported in Coffman Cove and on Prince of Wales Island in Craig and Klawock. There are no reported injuries. SEOC is deploying a Division Supervisor to Prince of Wales Island to assess the damage and coordinate state-level support to the community’s response.
