One still-unidentified body has been found in the Sitka, Ala., while two others are still missing, according to Canada Journal.
A K-9 team from Juneau recovered the first body. The dogs are "instrumental in the search," Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management spokesperson Jeremy Zidek said.
City workers were inspecting storm drains on Kramer Avenue when the side of the hill gave way. David Longtin, one of the workers, described the landslide later. "We heard a noise that sounded like wind, we looked up on the hillside and saw some 200 foot trees falling like dominoes, one after another," he said.
Fire Marshall William Stortz and two brothers, Elmer and Ulises Diaz, are still missing. Officials have spoken with the family members of the deceased person found by the dogs. They will not release the identity of that person until the rest of the family has been notified.
"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," Gov. Bill Walker said in a statement, according to Business Insider.
The land is still unstable, which is impeding search and rescue efforts. Searchers are working to remove debris but say that the expected rain this weekend could cause further complications. Sitka is about 600 miles away from Anchorage, Ala.
Workers say that the area they're searching is covered in mud with a consistency like pudding, according to SFGate. Sitka currently has no time frame for when the area will be cleaned up.
