Monday night’s landslide destroyed a swath of evergreen trees, affecting three homes and burying a highway near the island community of Wrangell.
It was estimated to be 140 meters wide and occurred during a period of heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Authorities say parents Timothy Heller, 44, and his wife Beth Heller, 36, were home with their three young children – Mara, 16, Derek, 12, and Kara, 11, when the landslide hit the area. Their home was one of three affected by the catastrophe.
Search crews found the bodies of the parents and their eldest daughter Mara late Monday or early Tuesday morning, but the two younger children remain missing, the Alaska Department of Public Safety said.
Heller’s neighbors, Otto Florschutz, 65, and his wife were also in one of the homes affected by the devastating landslide. He is still missing, but his wife survived.
Those caught in a fatal landslide in the southeastern region of Alaska have been identified as a family of five
Monday night’s landslide destroyed a swath of evergreen trees, affecting three homes and burying a highway near the island community of Wrangell. It was estimated to be 140 meters wide and the disaster occurred during a period of heavy rainfall and strong winds
Authorities say parents Timothy Heller, 44, and his wife Beth Heller, 36, were home with their three young children – Mara, 16, Derek, 12, and Kara, 11, when the landslide hit the area. Their home was one of three affected by the catastrophe
Search crews found the bodies of the parents and their eldest daughter Mara late Monday or early Tuesday morning, but the two younger children remain missing
Representative Don Young died last year. He received 193 votes out of almost 162,000 votes cast. The landslide has cut off about 54 other houses in the city.
About 35 to 45 people have chosen to stay in the area, said Mason Villarma, interim city manager.
Boats are used to deliver supplies including food, fuel, water and prescription medications.
Members of the Wrangell community shared their heartbroken reactions to the tragedy on Facebook.
People in a Facebook group called Wrangell Strong Community Relief Group are organizing donations and efforts to help repair the damage caused by the landslide.
Yvonne Heller – mother of Timothy Heller – shared a message from someone in the group that read: ‘OhOn the night of November 20, heavy rains caused a landslide in Wrangell that washed away three homes and claimed at least three lives, not to mention the evacuation of twenty to thirty people. people from their homes.
“But in the midst of this horrific tragedy, I have seen the goodness of God at work in our community. I am so blessed to call Wrangell my home, where everyone is considered family.”
Members of the Wrangell community shared their heartbroken reactions to the tragedy on Facebook
The landslide has cut off about 54 other houses in the city. About 35 to 45 people have chosen to stay in the area, said Mason Villarma, interim city manager
A close friend of the Heller family said, “Monday night was the LONGEST night ever for I think most of Wrangell. Beth and her family were the first people I thought of.”
A close friend of the Heller family said, “Monday night was the LONGEST night ever for I think most of Wrangell. Beth and her family were the first people I thought of.”
“They found Mara, Beth and Tim. They are still looking for Kara and Derek (the younger children), as well as another man, Otto Florschutz. Please pray that they find them today so they can rest,” she wrote on Facebook.
The family friend also organized one GoFundMe to collect donations for landslide relief.
“Please donate here if you would like to send financial assistance to the families directly affected by the damage and loss of their homes and loved ones due to the November 20 landslide in the community of Wrangell, Alaska,” the GoFundMe said page.
“There has been an outpouring of help from many people across the state and across the country. We know people want to help the families involved, so this GoFundMe and an account at First Bank in Wrangell, Alaska have been set up.”
The fundraiser has so far raised $30,636 of its $200,000 goal in support of Wrangell.
Pictured: Ground teams, including search and rescue dogs, are actively working to search areas that state geologists say are safe to enter Wednesday after a massive landslide at mile 11 of the Zimovia Highway.
The Hellers ran a construction company called Heller High Water, said Tyla Nelson, who described herself as Beth Heller’s best friend since high school.
Pictured: A helicopter arrives near kilometer 11 of the Zimovia Highway
The Hellers ran a construction company called Heller High Water, said Tyla Nelson, who described herself as Beth Heller’s best friend since high school.
Beth and Timothy both grew up in Wrangell and married in August 2010, Nelson said.
Nelson sobbed as she described her friend as a “fantastic person.”
“And she was a great mother,” she said. “She did everything for those babies.”
Wrangell School District Superintendent Bill Burr said in an email Friday that guidance would be available Monday for students and staff when school resumes after the Thanksgiving break.
“Losing even one child is a very difficult time, and having an entire family with three students is devastating,” Burr wrote.
