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A year after Aug. 25 landslide, Ketchikan Gateway Borough recounts emergency response and ongoing recovery
Summary
Speakers at a borough meeting recounted the Aug. 25, 2024, hillside collapse above the Third Avenue bypass, describing immediate multiagency response, community aid and ongoing recovery while naming Chris Rileyand Sean Griffin in updates and remembrances.
A year after the Aug. 25, 2024, hillside above the Third Avenue bypass collapsed and sent trees and debris into a nearby neighborhood, borough and city personnel described an immediate, multiagency response and continuing community recovery efforts.
Officials and meeting remarks said the slide "changed the landscape of Ketchikan," sent trees and debris through the neighborhood and resulted in a devastating loss of life. Within minutes, islandwide peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and volunteers were on site to evacuate residents, utility crews worked to clear downed power lines and contractors removed debris.
The Emergency Operations Center, led by borough and city personnel, coordinated the response and included participation from more than 50 individuals representing local, state and federal agencies. EOC partners supported road and utility restoration, filled sandbags, maintained traffic control and worked to ensure public safety, the remarks said.
Community members, businesses and neighbors provided clothing, blankets, food, meals, housing, transportation and financial donations in the days after the slide, the meeting account said. The transcript also noted a recovery milestone: about one week after the slide, news of Chris Rileys recovery was reported and offered hope for the community.
Speakers at the meeting recalled those lost in the disaster and specifically named Sean Griffin in remembrances. The remarks said the community continues to support one another and to work toward rebuilding.
The account in the transcript focused on the immediate response and community recovery; it did not record any formal motions, votes or policy decisions related to the incident. No funding amounts, timelines for debris removal or ongoing mitigation plans were specified in the record provided.
