An unexpected break in the weather allowed searchers to resume their work on the Kramer Avenue landslide in Sitka on Monday (8-24-15).
Thanks to extensive drainage work, much of the runoff from the weekend’s heavy rains was diverted from the recovery area. City spokesperson Sara Peterson says that there was no movement in the slide during the two days that work had been suspended.
Peterson says that an estimated 50 personnel returned to the site on Monday, along with one search dog. Teams once again are focusing their full attention on recovering the remains of William Stortz, Sitka’s municipal building official, who was caught in last Tuesday’s slide while inspecting drainage.
The Juneau Fire Department is sending relief personnel this week under a mutual-aid program. Airlift Northwest is also contributing a staff member.
Because of the instability of the slope, recovery work may only occur in relatively dry weather.
The next significant rain in Sitka is forecast for Thursday.
