Current:Home > Invest4th victim in Alaska landslide is 11-year-old girl; 2 people still missing, officials say -ProsperityStream Academy
4th victim in Alaska landslide is 11-year-old girl; 2 people still missing, officials say
View
Date:2025-04-14 20:35:06
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! (32)
Related
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Secretary of State Blinken is returning to the Mideast in his latest diplomatic foray
- This house from 'Home Alone' is for sale. No, not that one.
- How to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' for free: Special date, streaming info
- Mega Millions winning numbers for August 6 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $398 million
- Fewer U.S. grandparents are taking care of grandchildren, according to new data
- New Jersey targets plastic packaging that fills landfills and pollutes
- When is the 'Survivor' Season 47 finale? Here's who's left; how to watch and stream part one
- Tropical weather brings record rainfall. Experts share how to stay safe in floods.
- One Tech Tip: How to protect your communications through encryption
Ranking
- Small twin
- Mystery drones are swarming New Jersey skies, but can you shoot them down?
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Follow Your Dreams
- Trump taps immigration hard
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- ParkMobile $32.8 million settlement: How to join class
- Syrian rebel leader says he will dissolve toppled regime forces, close prisons
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Recommendation
Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed ahead of key US inflation data
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
'Secret Level' creators talk new video game Amazon series, that Pac
Beyoncé takes home first award in country music category at 2024 Billboard Music Awards
'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean