A landslide in Ketchikan, Alaska, resulted in the death of a city public works employee and caused injuries to three others. This incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, saw the landslide cascade down a steep, densely forested hill and crash into several homes, prompting evacuation orders for nearby residents.
Authorities reported that the landslide left the slope unstable, leading state and local geologists to assess the area for potential further slides. Ketchikan is a popular destination for cruise ships along the Inside Passage.
The victim was identified as Sean Griffin, who had dedicated 17 years to the city’s public works team. Griffin was clearing stormwater drains with a colleague at the time of the incident. City officials commended his commitment to the community, noting he had responded to the emergency during his time off.
The landslide followed a weekend of heavy rainfall, which contributed to the natural disaster. Ketchikan had received about 2.6 inches of rain in just over a day, with higher elevations seeing even more precipitation. Meteorologists observed that, despite the rain, there were no typical warning signs for such an event.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the landslide struck. One resident, Leah Canfield, initially mistook a flash of light for lightning before realizing the magnitude of the landslide as debris flew past her window. Canfield and her spouse rushed outside to find their neighbor’s home damaged and trees and debris littering their yard.
The Ketchikan region, surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, routinely experiences landslides, particularly in remote areas. However, the increasing frequency of such events poses risks to populated areas due to climate change and soil destabilization. Concerns over development in potentially hazardous zones have also been raised by local meteorologists.
In response to the disaster, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared an emergency for Ketchikan. Local officials set up a shelter at Ketchikan High School for those displaced by the landslide. While some individuals were treated for injuries and accounted for, the total number of homes affected remains uncertain as assessments are underway.
Power was restored to part of the area by Sunday evening, but many residents remain without electricity while cleanup efforts continue. Local meteorologists aim to study the soil and understand the causes behind the landslide to mitigate future risks.