Current:Home > reviews4th victim in Alaska landslide is 11-year-old girl; 2 people still missing, officials say -Summit Capital Strategies
4th victim in Alaska landslide is 11-year-old girl; 2 people still missing, officials say
View
Date:2025-04-14 20:12:29
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! (76569)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Great Value Apple Juice sold at Walmart stores voluntarily recalled over arsenic levels
- Flights for life: Doctor uses plane to rescue hundreds of dogs from high-kill shelters
- Harris and Trump are having a new squabble over their upcoming debate, this time about muted mics
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Reveals What Daughter Eloise Demands From Chris Pratt
- Watch live: NASA set to reveal how Boeing Starliner astronauts will return to Earth
- Mississippi ex-deputy seeks shorter sentence in racist torture of 2 Black men
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Watch these compelling canine tales on National Dog Day
Ranking
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Sven-Goran Eriksson, Swedish soccer coach who was first foreigner to lead England team, dies at 76
- 'The Crow' original soundtrack was iconic. This new one could be, too.
- Powerball winning numbers for August 24: Jackpot now worth $44 million
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Go inside the fun and fanciful Plaid Elephant Books in Kentucky
- Get 50% Off Spanx, 75% Off Lands' End, 60% Off Old Navy, 60% Off Wayfair & Today's Best Deals
- Great Value Apple Juice sold at Walmart stores voluntarily recalled over arsenic levels
Recommendation
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hidden Costs
Columbus Crew vs. Los Angeles FC Leagues Cup final: How to watch Sunday's championship
Ben Affleck Spends Time With BFF Matt Damon Amid Jennifer Lopez Divorce
Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
Watch these compelling canine tales on National Dog Day
Katherine Schwarzenegger Reveals What Daughter Eloise Demands From Chris Pratt
My Favorite SKIMS Drops This Month: Magical Sculpting Bodysuits, the Softest T-Shirt I've Worn & More
Like
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- ‘It’s Just No Place for an Oil Pipeline’: A Wisconsin Tribe Continues Its Fight to Remove a 71-Year-Old Line From a Pristine Place
- Ravens offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris dies at 70 after battling 'acute illness'