Debris Flow — Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska
August 25, 2024 · NOAA Storm Events record
Event narrative (NOAA)
Shortly after 1500AKST on August 25th the larger of two landslides crossed the 3rd Avenue Bypass, a state road which is one of two routes for local traffic to get across town. There were 2 city employees that were working to clear culverts in their vehicle as the landslide occurred and killed the driver and significantly injuring the other passenger. As the landslide progressed down the slope, it destroyed 5 houses, caused 2 additional injuries, and damage to other surrounding properties. The entire area around the slide was evacuated until the hillside was evaluated. The 3rd AVE Bypass was closed and produced major congestion due to summer tourism as there was only one main road to move through town and this made it difficult for emergency services to get around in a timely fashion.
Other notable debris flow events in Alaska
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.