Current:Home > reviews4th victim in Alaska landslide is 11-year-old girl; 2 people still missing, officials say -Quantum Capital Pro
4th victim in Alaska landslide is 11-year-old girl; 2 people still missing, officials say
View
Date:2025-04-18 08:25:59
Authorities recovered the body of 11-year-old Kara Heller Saturday night from debris left behind by a massive landslide in southeast Alaska that killed three other people and left two others missing, according to the Associated Press.
Heller is the fourth person confirmed killed by last Monday's landslide. The others were the girl's parents, Timothy Heller, 44, and Beth Heller, 36, and her sister Mara Heller, 16.
Rescue crews found Mara's body in the initial search, and the bodies of Timothy and Beth were found late Tuesday by a drone operator.
Search crews are looking for a third child still missing from the Heller family, Derek, 12, and neighbor Otto Florschutz, 65, the Alaska Department of Public Safety told the Associated Press.
Alaska State Troopers said in a statement last Tuesday that three homes were in the direct path of the disaster around 8:50 p.m. local time Monday near Wrangell, a fishing community with just over 2,000 residents about 155 miles southeast of Juneau.
Alaska landslide:Landslide leaves 3 dead and trail of damage in remote community of Wrangell, Alaska
Alaska landslide: search and rescue efforts
First responders were on the scenes searching for survivors, the troopers said. Authorities urged residents to contact local police if they know someone who is missing.
The landslide cut off access and power to about 75 homes, the state emergency management office said, and boats have been taking residents from the cut-off area to an unaffected part of town.
Photos posted on social media showed barren earth near the top of the mountain all the way down to the Pacific Ocean and remnants of destroyed homes.
Aaron Jacobs, a hydrologist and meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Juneau, told the Associated Press Wrangell received nearly 2 inches of rain from 1 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and wind gusts of up to 60 mph in higher elevations.
The storm was part of a system that moved through southeast Alaska and brought heavy snow to Haines and blizzard-like conditions to Juneau, Jacobs said. Areas farther south had minor flooding.
Landslides were reported near Ketchikan and on Prince of Wales Island. KTUU, a local TV station in Alaska, reported several landslides happening across the state that damaged homes, caused power outages and closed major highways.
Search suspended:5-year-old girl dies, search suspended for man swept out by California wave: Coast Guard
veryGood! (93977)
Related
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Powerball winning numbers for October 2: Jackpot rises to $275 million
- Teacher still missing after Helene floods pushed entire home into North Carolina river
- Video shows mules bringing resources to Helene victims in areas unreachable by vehicles
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Hurricane Helene brings climate change to forefront of the presidential campaign
- Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell homer in eighth, Brewers stun Mets to force Game 3
- Shawn Mendes Clarifies How He Feels About Ex Camila Cabello
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Pete Rose's longtime teammate Tony Perez opens up about last visit with baseball icon
Ranking
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Do you qualify for spousal Social Security benefits? Here's how to find out.
- 'Deadpool and Wolverine' becomes 'best first-day seller' of 2024 with digital release
- Pete Rose takes photo with Reds legends, signs autographs day before his death
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Man who was mad about Chinese spy balloon is convicted of threatening former Speaker McCarthy
- Biltmore Estate remains closed to recover from Hurricane Helene damage
- Jax Taylor Admits He Made Errors in Brittany Cartwright Divorce Filing
Recommendation
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi share wedding photos, including with Jon Bon Jovi
Opinion: Will Deion Sanders stay at Colorado? Keep eye on Coach Prime's luggage
Mark Consuelos Promises Sexy Wife Kelly Ripa That He'll Change This Bedroom Habit
'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
Big game hunters face federal wildlife charges for expeditions that killed mountain lions
Dancing With the Stars' Rylee Arnold Sprains Her Ankle in Rehearsals With Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik
ACLU lawsuit details DWI scheme rocking Albuquerque police