Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly ratifies disaster declaration after Wolf Point landslide

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on March 24 ratified a mayoral declaration of disaster emergency after a landslide on March 20 blocked the North Tongass Highway and separated portions of the community from the city and the north end.

Tongass Fire Captain Neil Ryan, standing in for Public Information Officer Anthony Pio, told the assembly the slide occurred "approximately 10:55 on March 20," and that a unified incident command and an emergency operations center (EOC) were activated with representation from the borough, the City of Ketchikan, Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT), the school district, Alaska State Troopers, Landslide Technologies and the National Weather Service. "We coordinated the emergency response," Ryan said, listing measures including temporary docking solutions, a water shuttle, emergency bus service and a community shelter.

The declaration was put to the assembly as Resolution 3,117. "I move to adopt Resolution 3,117 ratifying the mayor's March 20, 2025 declaration of disaster emergency in response to the Wolf Point landslide," an assemblymember moved and the motion was seconded by Assemblymember Palmer. A roll call recorded seven yes votes — Bailey, Matson, Palmer, Arntzen, Bowling, Otis and Thompson — and the resolution was approved.

Why it matters: the declaration establishes a formal basis for the borough and city to seek state or federal reimbursement for response and recovery costs rather than rely solely on local tax funds. Mayor Dyle told the assembly that, despite no deaths or major injuries, the event has "profound economic impacts" that will persist and that both governments preferred seeking state or federal funds for reimbursement.

Operational update and timeline

Ryan described operational steps taken since the slide. A temporary bypass has been constructed; it was configured as a single lane with restricted hours (open mornings 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and evenings 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) through Tuesday, with a goal of opening an unrestricted two-lane bypass by Wednesday morning subject to safety closures for short periods as needed. "The EOC will stay open until Wednesday morning," Ryan said, after which officials plan a scale demobilization: "we'll just kinda start to drop off people and representatives to just kinda have a core group," he said, adding that the joint information center/public information section will remain the last element active until handoff to DOT and normal construction operations resume.

Ryan and borough officials said community efforts prioritized family reunification early in the response when school schedules and travel separated some families. "The community worked really, really well together to make sure that families were reunited," Ryan said.

Assembly response and next steps

Assemblymembers and the mayor offered praise for first responders, contractors and volunteers who assisted with evacuation, transport and site clearance. Mayor Dyle urged residents to use the event to improve household preparedness: he recommended families maintain an emergency plan and three days of supplies.

Officials said schools and bus service were a key benchmark for demobilization; the EOC will reduce staffing once buses and classes resume. DOT will continue to manage the bypass and will close the roadway for safety or construction for short intervals as needed, with the EOC and DOT maintaining communication with the public.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 3,117: "Adopt Resolution 3,117 ratifying the mayor's March 20, 2025 declaration of disaster emergency in response to the Wolf Point landslide." Mover: Arntzen; Second: Palmer. Vote: Bailey (yes), Matson (yes), Palmer (yes), Arntzen (yes), Bowling (yes), Otis (yes), Thompson (yes). Outcome: approved.

The assembly did not take additional formal action at the meeting; officials will continue coordination with state partners on reimbursement and construction timelines.