Authorities on Friday identified those missing or killed in a southeast Alaska landslide this week as five family members and their neighbor, a commercial fisherman who made a long-distance bid for the state’s lone seat in the US House last year.
Timothy Heller, 44, and Beth Heller, 36 – and their children Mara, 16; Derek, 12; and Kara, 11 – were at home Monday night when the landslide struck near the island community of Wrangell. Search crews found the bodies of the parents and eldest child late Monday or early Tuesday; the younger child remains missing, as does neighbor Otto Florschutz, 65, the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in an emailed statement.
Florschutz’s wife survived.
Florschutz, a Republican who previously served on the Wrangell Port Commission, is one of 48 candidates entering the race to fill the congressional seat vacated when Rep. Longtime US, Don Young died last year. He received 193 votes out of nearly 162,000 votes.
A helicopter arrives near mile marker 11 of the Zimovia Highway where ground teams, including search and rescue dogs, are hard at work searching an area that geologists have declared safe to enter Nov. 22, 2023, in Wrangell, Alaska.AP
In a candidate statement given to the Anchorage Daily News at the time, Florschutz said he was known for his ability to build consensus.
“As a commercial fisherman for 42 years, I have worn many hats,” he said. “Besides fishing, I have served in community elected positions, boat repair, mechanics, welding, carpentry, business and more.”
Beth Heller served on the Wrangell School Board from 2019 to 2020 after several years on the district’s parent advisory committee.
The Hellers operate a construction company called Heller High Water, said Tyla Nelson, who described herself as Beth Heller’s best friend since high school.
Beth and Timothy both grew up in Wrangell and married in August 2010, Nelson said.
The huge landslide roared down the mountaintop to the path of the three houses. AP
Nelson broke down in tears as she described her friend as “a great human being.”
“And she’s a great mother,” he said. “He did everything for those babies.”
Wrangell School District Superintendent Bill Burr said in an email Friday that counseling will be available for students and staff Monday when school resumes after the Thanksgiving break.
“Losing even one child is a very difficult time, and having an entire family with three students is devastating,” Burr wrote.
Search and rescue operations have been carried out since the incident was reported on November 20, 2023. AP
The slide toppled an evergreen tree from a mountaintop above the community into the ocean, smashed three homes and buried a highway near the island community of Wrangell, about 155 miles south of Juneau. One of the houses is uninhabited.
The slide – estimated to be 450 feet wide – occurred during significant rain and strong winds. Wrangell received about 2 inches of rain from early Monday through late afternoon, with winds gusting up to 60 mph at higher elevations, said Aaron Jacobs, National Weather Service hydrologist and meteorologist in Juneau.
The landslide caused about 54 houses to be cut off from the town. About 35 to 45 people have chosen to stay in the area, said Mason Villarma, interim regional manager. Boats are used to provide supplies including food, fuel, water and prescription drugs.
Given the island’s geography — with the city at the northern point and homes along 13 miles of paved road — currently “the ocean is our only access to the residence,” Villarma said.
Officials continued to clear debris from the highway on Friday.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
