Landslide Update for Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Sam Dapcevich with DOT talks about weekly drone flights to monitor conditions and provide data.
Landslide Update for Friday, December 22, 2023
Weather conditions have forced DOT to make a change in the road plan. Instead of pouring concrete, they are applying a gravel road bed until weather conditions improve in the spring. Beginning Saturday, it is expected that the road will be open to all, 24/7 and will be a 2 lane gravel surface. Drivers are asked to please slow down while crossing the gravel area.
Landslide Update for Wednesday, December 20, 2023
DOT hopes to pour concrete Thursday and Friday this week, depending on the weather. The goal is to have the 11-mile road area accessible 24/7 to all travelers over the holidays before returning to scheduled times to pass through for the remainder of the concrete pour.
Landslide Update for Monday, December 18, 2023
Sam Dapcevich, DOT Public Information Officer, joins KSTK’s News Director Colette Czarnecki for today’s landslide update. They talk about the possibility of the 11-mile area of road being open to all sometime next week.
Landslide Update for Friday, December 15, 2023
Today KSTN News Director Colette Czarnecki talks with Borough Manager Villarma about funding coming to Wrangell and with DOT Public Information Officer, Sam Dapcevich about road work and weather stations.
Landslide Update for Wednesday, December 13, 2023
KSTK News Director Colette Czarnecki speaks with DOT Public Information Officer, Sam Dapcevich and Borough Manager Villarma.
Landslide Update for Monday, December 11, 2023
KSTK News Director Colette Czarnecki speaks with DOT Public Information Officer, Sam Dapcevich and Borough Manager Villarma.
Landslide Update for Saturday, December 9, 2023
On Saturday, December 9, 2023 a multiagency meeting took place with Borough Manager Villarma, Borough Mayor Gilbert, representatives from the Alaska Disaster Assistance and Public Information Office, Alaska DHS&EM (Dept. of Homeland Security & Emergency Management), AK DOT (Department of Transportation), and DGGS (Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys). Here is a recording of that meeting:
Landslide Update for Friday, December 8, 2023
KSTK News Director Colette Czarnecki speaks with DOT spokesperson Shannon McCarthy and Borough Manager Mason Villarma about preparations for the stormy weekend, including closing the landslide area of the highway to through traffic on Saturday and about the multiagency meeting at 10 am Saturday, December 9.
Landslide Update for Wednesday, December 6, 2023
This morning KSTK News Director Colette Czarneckie talked with DOT spokesperson Shannon McCarthy about road repairs. They discuss a possible timeline for the concrete patch to set up and adding fill to the road shoulder for stability so that the road can open up.
The City and Borough of Wrangell Suspend Search for Missing Person in 11-Mile Landslide Incident
The City and Borough of Wrangell is announcing a suspension of the search for the last missing person in the aftermath of the tragic 11-mile
landslide incident that occurred on November 20th. The decision to end the active search comes
after 15 days of tireless and exhaustive efforts by the Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department Search
and Rescue teams.
Since the incident unfolded, the Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department, alongside numerous dedicated
support volunteers, K9 scent dogs and local equipment operators, worked resolutely to comb through
the vast and complex debris area below the Zimovia Highway. Personnel from Alaska State Troopers,
Department of Transportation, United States Forest Service, United States Coast Guard, State of
Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Wrangell Police Department and
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities provided invaluable support. The untiring
efforts to locate 12-year-old Derek Heller extended to all accessible areas above and into the
intertidal zone.
Over the course of the 15-day search, the collective efforts of the search and rescue teams and
volunteers were monumental. Their commitment, courage, and unwavering dedication were evident as
they navigated challenging terrain, adverse weather conditions, and other obstacles. In addition,
the support of the Wrangell community, surrounding communities and partner agencies has been
unwavering and appreciated.
After careful consideration and evaluation of all available information, it has been determined
that all accessible search areas have been thoroughly examined. Search and Rescue volunteers and a
scent detection K9 team will be available to respond with active searching if any new information
or evidence leads to a specific search area in the future.
The City and Borough of Wrangell extends its deepest gratitude to all the volunteers, K9 teams,
support personnel and emergency responders who selflessly contributed their time, expertise, and
resources in this search and rescue mission. Their resilience and commitment to the community
during this challenging time have not gone unnoticed.
We understand that this is a trying time for the community, and our hearts go out to the relatives
and loved ones of the missing individual. The City and Borough of Wrangell expresses its sincere
condolences during this period of grief.
For further information, please contact State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and
Emergency Management Public Information Officer Jeremy Zidek (907) 428-7077.
Landslide Update for Monday, December 4, 2023
This morning KSTK News Director Colette Czarneckie talked with DOT spokesperson Shannon McCarthy and Wrangell Interim Borough Manager Mason Villarma.
Landslide Update for Sunday, December 3, 2023
This morning KSTK News Director Colette Czarneckie talked with DOT spokesperson Shannon McCarthy and Wrangell Interim Borough Manager Mason Villarma.
Landslide Update for Saturday, December 2, 2023
This morning KSTK News Director Colette Czarneckie talked with DOT spokesperson Shannon McCarthy on road improvements in the slide area, specifically prepping the broken asphalt for a concrete road patch.
December 1, 2023, 9:00 am – Wrangell Landslide Search and Rescue Update – Alaska Department of Public Safety Press Release
(Press Release from the Alaska Department of Public Safety – December 1, 2023 – Wrangell, Alaska) At 4:25 p.m. on November 30, 2023, the body of Otto Florschutz was located and recovered from the landslide debris with the assistance of Wrangell Search and Rescue k-9, Wrangell Search and Rescue volunteers, and an excavator. Next of kin and the State Medical Examiner’s Office have been notified. 12-year-old Derek Heller is still missing. Search and Rescue volunteers and a scent detection K9 team continue with reactive searching as any new information or evidence leads to a specific search area.
For updates on road-clearing efforts, please follow the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities social media pages. Please follow the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s social media channels for information about the state-declared disaster declaration and ongoing recovery efforts.
Landslide update for Friday, December 1, 2023
This morning KSTK News Director Colette Czarneckie spoke with Timothy Despain, spokesperson for the Alaska State Troopers in the Deprtment of Public Safety on the recovery of 65 year old Otto Florschutz and on the ongoing effort to recover 12 year old Derek Heller.
KSTK also spoke with Shannon McCarthy, spokes person for the Department of Transportation on the ongoing work of clearing debris and working toward opening the road.
Landslide update for Thursday, November 30, 2023
Today KSTK News Director Colette Czarneckie spoke with Shannon McCarthy with D.O.T. The Department is working with the USFS on improving weather stations and a ‘drone in a box’ is on the way to Wrangell.
Landslide update for Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Today Station Manager Cindy Sweat spoke with Shannon McCarthy of the D.O.T. Debris removal continues and the three, one-half hour segments of time that south end residents may drive through the slide area will remain in place for a few more days.
This morning, KSTK News Director Colette Czarneckie spoke with Wrangell Interim Borough Manager, Mason Villarma. Here is their conversation.
Landslide update for Tuesday, November 28, 2023
AP&T Update
On Tuesday evening AP&T reported that they were able to connect land line phones and internet south of the slide zone. A few homes immediately north of the slide zone are not yet connected but AP&T plans to get them hooked up to phone and internet tomorrow.
D.O.T. Update
Today KSTK Station Manager, Cindy Sweat spoke with Shannon McCarthy of the D.O.T. on the process of debris removal, opening the road and some data points regarding the size of the slide.
City of Wrangell Public Notice as of Tues., November 28th at 6:15am
South end residents who are on the north end of the landslide that have a residence on the south end of the landslide and are wanting to go to their residence, should go to City Hall to pick up a permit.
City Hall opens at 8:00am.
From City of Wrangell at 6:15 pm Monday 11/27/23
Power has been restored to residents on the south end. AP&T is working to restore land lines.
From City of Wrangell 5:00 pm Monday 11/27/23
11-Mile Landslide POWER RESTORATION
POWER RESTORATION:
WML&P Crews are on scene and are working very hard to restore power to the south end residents.
Crews are hoping to restore power by this evening. If that cannot be accomplished, they will work on restoring power tomorrow.
Please note that this is a tentative timeline.
From D.O.T. 1:30 pm Monday 11/27/23
Shannon McCarthy with D.O.T. contacted KSTK so that we can update everyone regarding the slide area road status:
The slide area above the road is still settling and D.O.T is cleaning up and reestablishing ditches and drainage. In order to keep everyone safe, D.O.T. is planning to open the highway up to the public a few times during daylight hours beginning tomorrow, Tuesday 11/28/23.
- 8 to 8:30 a.m.
- 12 to 12:30 p.m.
- 3:30 to 4 p.m.
These limited openings will continue for a couple of days until D.O.T can open the section of highway a bit longer. Currently Wrangell Police are providing security to the sight.
The City and Borough of Wrangell stresses that access through the landslide area is LIMITED TO SOUTH OF THE LANDSLIDE AREA RESIDENTS ONLY at this time.
The City says residents who live south of the landslide area and are in town may pick up a permit from City Hall if they wish.
POWER RESTORATION: WML&P crews are working very hard to set the power polls and restore power. They will provide a public notice just as soon as they have information available.
AP&T will follow the power crew to install land lines.
This is your landslide update for Monday, November 27, 2023. KSTK station manager, Cindy Sweat spoke with Shannon McCarthy of the Alaska Department of Transportation about opening the road and establishing power and land lines.
This is your landslide update for Sunday, November 26, 2023. KSTK station manager, Cindy Sweat spoke with Shannon McCarthy of the Alaska Department of Transportation about uncovering the road and installing drainage. CoastAlaska Regional News Director Angela Denning spoke with Wrangell Borough Interim Manager, Mason Villarma on a wide range of topics.
This is your landslide update for Saturday, November 25, 2023. KSTK station manager, Cindy Sweat, spoke with Shannon McCarthy of the Alaska Department of Transportation about debris removal on both the north and south side of the slide area and the potential restoration of power.
This is your landslide update for Friday, November 24, 2023. Shannon McCarthy with the Alaska Department of Transportation talks about the debris removal process that’s begun at mile 11 of the Zimovia Highway with CoastAlaska’s Angela Denning. NOTE: McCarthy mistakenly said cubic tons when she meant cubic yards.
This is your landslide update for Thursday, November 23, 2023. Austin McDaniel with the Alaska Department of Public Safety talks about the search efforts happening over Thanksgiving with CoastAlaska’s Angela Denning.
