Fatal landslide in Alaska kills 1 and injures 3, prompts evacuations

KETCHIKAN, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - One person is dead and three others are injured after a landslide in Alaska caused a state emergency declaration and responses from state lawmakers.

Mandatory evacuations were issued for people in Ketchikan on multiple streets after a landslide caused downed powerlines around 4:15 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Ketchikan is a popular cruise ship stop along the famed Inside Passage in the Alaska panhandle.

Officials confirmed one person has died and at least three were injured, with two of them hospitalized. However, there appear to be no missing persons.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a state of disaster emergency so those impacted by the landslide can potentially access state disaster relief funds, according to the governor’s office.

The city issued a warning for the possibility of a second landslide, and officials are encouraging people to use Madison Street to reach an emergency shelter established at the Ketchikan High School.

Residents are being warned to stay away from electrical lines, especially those that could be on the ground. There’s also property and infrastructure damage in surrounding areas.

There are power and internet outages across the city. Other search and rescues are underway.