A massive landslide struck the Zimovia Highway near Wrangell, Alaska, on Monday night, resulting in the loss of three lives and leaving three others missing.
Alaskan authorities announced a shift in the search strategy from an active to a reactive phase, reflecting the challenges faced in the aftermath of the disaster, as per to CNN.
Southern Alaska Landslide
Rescuers have located the remains of three individuals who perished in the landslide that hit around 9 p.m. Monday. Despite exhaustive search efforts, including aerial searches with drones, helicopters, and planes, ground teams with K9 scent detection dogs, and water-based investigations with K9 teams and sonar, three people, one adult and two juveniles, remain missing.
The landslide, estimated to be 450 feet wide, tore down a wide swath of evergreen trees, burying the highway and impacting the island community of Wrangell, situated approximately 155 miles south of Juneau. The sheer force of the slide destroyed three homes and created a challenging scenario for search and rescue teams.
The response to this tragedy involved meticulous efforts, combining aerial and ground searches using advanced technology and trained professionals. Following the three active search efforts, authorities are transitioning to a reactive search approach.
Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, clarified that during active searches, teams are actively in the field, meticulously looking for missing persons, while reactive searches respond to new information by actively searching specific areas supported by the latest news.
The impact of the landslide extends beyond the loss of lives. Around 54 homes have been cut off from the town due to the landslide, leaving roughly 35 to 45 people in an isolated area. Boats are being employed to provide essential supplies to residents, including food, fuel, water, and prescription medications.
Given the geographic challenges of the island, with the town at the northern point and houses along a 13-mile stretch of paved road, the ocean currently serves as the only access to those residences, according to Fox 59 News.
Wrangell Considers Vigil Amid Landslide Tragedy
Traditionally celebrating Thanksgiving with tree lighting and downtown shopping events, Wrangell is considering replacing festivities with a vigil, providing an opportunity for the community to come together physically and recognize both the tragedy and the resilience of a small town facing adversity.
The state transportation department has outlined that clearing the highway will commence once search and rescue efforts are complete, although an immediate timeline for reopening the affected portion remains uncertain.
The unstable nature of the area prompted authorities to bring in a geologist from the state transportation department for a preliminary assessment, clearing some areas of the slide for ground searches while warning of the threat of additional landslides.
The meteorological context reveals that the landslide occurred during a rain and windstorm. The region experienced about 2 inches of rain and wind gusts up to 60 mph, contributing to saturated soil conditions. The storm system that moved through southeast Alaska brought heavy snow and blizzard-like conditions to the state capital, Juneau.
As the community of Wrangell grapples with the aftermath, historical influences come to the forefront. Founded in 1811 when Russians began trading with Tlingits, Wrangell is one of the oldest non-Alaska Native settlements in the state, reflecting a rich tapestry of Indigenous, Russian, British, and American influences.
In the ongoing search efforts, K-9 teams plan to search along the waterline by small boat, joining ground teams in the slide area at multiple areas of interest. The challenges posed by the unstable environment highlight the resilience and unity of a community facing an unprecedented tragedy, CBC reported.
