Officials in Alaska have reported a tragic incident involving a “large landslide,” resulting in at least three confirmed deaths and concerns for three missing individuals. The landslide occurred on Zimovia Highway near Wrangell in the Alaska Panhandle, with emergency responders launching an immediate search for survivors.
The Alaska Department of Public Safety identified three homes directly in the landslide’s path—one on the waterside and two on the mountainside of the highway. Initial investigations suggested one mountainside home was unoccupied during the incident.
The search and rescue operation involved teams from Wrangell police and fire departments, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, and other agencies. Unfortunately, the body of a deceased female juvenile from the waterside house was discovered during the search on Monday night. Subsequently, two more deceased adults were located on Tuesday.
Currently, three individuals, including two juveniles and one adult, are presumed missing. Search and rescue teams, including K9 units from SEA Dogs in Juneau and Wrangell Search and Rescue, are actively scouring the area on the ground. Efforts are ongoing, with a woman from the mountainside being successfully rescued on Tuesday morning and reported to be in good condition.
The Alaska State Troopers are leading the search and rescue mission, with the ground search temporarily halted on Tuesday due to hazardous conditions. A geologist has since cleared certain areas for further ground searches. The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting water searches, and a drone operator is assisting in the overall search effort.
Authorities have cautioned against entering the landslide area due to the possibility of additional landslides. Residents have been urged to evacuate into Wrangell, with approximately 20 to 30 people having already complied. The Zimovia Highway remains closed to traffic south of mile 6.
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Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster for the landslide, pledging the state’s full resources to support Wrangell. The landslide, estimated to be 500 feet across at the highway, is identified as a debris flow, a destructive phenomenon that can reach speeds of about 35 mph. These incidents are particularly prevalent in southeast Alaska’s steep slopes, especially following intense or extremely concentrated rainfall over several days.