Raven News has received the following information from the City of Sitka:
UPDATED 3 p.m., 8-19-15:
Emergency response crews plan to continue search and recovery operations at the site of the Kramer Avenue landslide today, once it’s determined that the area is safe enough for workers and equipment.
Three people are still missing after the landslide on Kramer Avenue Tuesday morning, one of at least six slides around Sitka yesterday.
Officials are concerned about the instability of the landslide debris and the danger of further slides. Volunteer crews have been organized to help with operations. More volunteers are not needed at this time — officials are stressing that only trained personnel can safely assist operations. Everybody is asked to keep clear of the landslide areas for the safety and efficiency of the response crews.
An effort is being made to divert water from the landslide area to relieve excess sewer pressure and saturated soil in the Sand Dollar and Whale Watch Drive area, a step towards allowing residents to move back home.
While Kramer Avenue residents are not yet allowed to visit their homes, residents evacuated from Sand Dollar Drive and Whale Watch Drive will be given 1/2 hour to retrieve items from their homes today. They must first check in with the police at the Kramer Avenue roadblock. Engineers will be assessing the slope stability of the Sand Dollar and Whale Watch area today to safely lift the evacuation order as soon as possible.
Displaced Sitkans are welcome to gather at the ANB Hall.
Sitkans can most effectively help by donating food for evacuated residents and emergency personnel to the Salvation Army at 405 Sawmill Creek Road. The following items are most needed: Bread, Lunchmeat, Hamburger Meat, Rice, Mixed Veggies, Granola Bars, Apples, Oranges, Gatorade, Bottled Water, Bags of Chips, Cans of Soda, Brown Bags, Sandwich Bags, Packets of Mustard and Mayonnaise.
The landslides have caused several road closures. Harbor Mountain Road has been closed above the first gate at the bottom of the hill. Sawmill Creek Road is open, but there is a detour near Silver Bay Seafoods. Near the Kramer Avenue landslide, the city has closed Sand Dollar Drive, Whale Watch Drive and Kramer Avenue itself.
At 6 PM tonight (Wed 8-19) Brave Heart Volunteers is hosting a community gathering in Totem Square Park.
Raven News will provide more updates as we have them.
