This is a breaking story, check back for updates.
The City and Borough of Sitka has declared a state of emergency after heavy rain triggered at least three different landslides this morning.
The Sitka Fire Department has reported one slide on Halibut Point Road, one on Kramer Avenue, and one on Sawmill Creek Road, near the Gary Paxton Industrial Park.
The slide on Kramer Avenue has damaged at least one house. The extent of the damage is not yet clear.
Anyone who was working on the construction on Kramer Avenue is asked to call the Sitka Police Department at 747-3245. Sitka Search and Rescue is trying to account for everyone who might have been in the homes affected by the slide.
The Fire Department has closed Sawmill Creek Road at Whale Park. Kramer Avenue is also closed. Halibut Point Road remains open.
KCAW has also received reports from residents in the 2200 Block of HPR below Kramer Avenue that homes have been evacuated.
Rachel Waldholz covers energy and the environment for Alaska's Energy Desk, a collaboration between Alaska Public Media, KTOO in Juneau and KUCB in Unalaska. Before coming to Anchorage, she spent two years reporting for Raven Radio in Sitka. Rachel studied documentary production at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, and her short film, A Confused War won several awards. Her work has appeared on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Marketplace, among other outlets.
rwaldholz (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8432 | About Rachel
