The residents of a small community hit by a landslide in southeast Alaska include a family of five and their fishing neighbors.
Monday night’s landslide tore down a strip of evergreen trees, hit three homes and buried a highway near the island community of Wrangell.
It was estimated to be 450 feet wide and was formed during a period of heavy rains and strong winds.
According to authorities, parents Timothy Heller, 44, and his wife Beth Heller, 36, were at home with their three young children, Mara, 16, Derek, 12, and Kara, 11, when the landslide hit the area. Her home was one of three struck by the disaster.
Search crews found the bodies of the parents and their eldest daughter, Mara, late Monday or early Tuesday morning, but the two younger children remain missing, the Alaska Department of Public Safety said.
Heller’s neighbors, Otto Florschutz, 65, and his wife were also in one of the houses affected by the devastating landslide – he remains missing, but his wife survived.
The victims of a deadly landslide in southeast Alaska are a family of five
Monday night’s landslide tore down a strip of evergreen trees, hit three homes and buried a highway near the island community of Wrangell. It was estimated to be 450 feet wide and the disaster occurred during a period of heavy rains and strong winds
According to authorities, parents Timothy Heller, 44, and his wife Beth Heller, 36, were at home with their three young children, Mara, 16, Derek, 12, and Kara, 11, when the landslide hit the area. Her home was one of three struck by the disaster
Search parties found the bodies of the parents and their eldest daughter Mara late Monday or early Tuesday morning, but the two younger children remain missing
Florschutz was a Republican who previously served on the Wrangell Port Commission and entered the race to fill the congressional seat that remained vacant in the United States
Rep. Don Young died last year. He received 193 votes out of nearly 162,000 cast. The landslide cut off about 54 more houses from the city.
About 35 to 45 people have chosen to remain in the area, said Mason Villarma, interim county administrator.
Boats are used to deliver food, fuel, water and prescription medications.
Members of the Wrangell community took to Facebook to share their heartbroken reactions to the tragedy.
Members of a Facebook group called the Wrangell Strong Community Relief Group have organized donations and efforts to help clean up the damage caused by the landslide.
Yvonne Heller – mother of Timothy Heller – shared the post from someone in the group that said: “On the night of November 20th, heavy rains caused a landslide in Wrangell that washed away three homes and killed at least three people mention the evacuation of 20-30 people from their homes.
“But in the midst of this terrible tragedy, I have seen the goodness of God at work in our community. I am so blessed to call Wrangell home, where everyone is considered family.”
Members of the Wrangell community took to Facebook to share their heartbroken reactions to the tragedy
The landslide cut off about 54 more houses from the city. About 35 to 45 people have chosen to remain in the area, said Mason Villarma, interim county administrator
A close friend of the Heller family said, “Monday night was the LONGEST night ever, for most of Wrangell, I think.” Beth and her family were the first people I thought of.
A close friend of the Heller family said, “Monday night was the LONGEST night ever, for most of Wrangell, I think.” “Beth and her family were the first people I thought of.”
“They found Mara, Beth and Tim. They are still looking for Kara and Derek (the younger children) as well as another man, Otto Florschutz. Please pray that they find them today so they can be put to rest,” she wrote on Facebook.
The family friend also organized a GoFundMe to raise funds for landslide relief.
“Please donate here if you would like to send financial assistance to the families directly dealing with the damage and loss of their homes and loved ones due to the November 20 landslide in Wrangell Township, Alaska,” it reads the GoFundMe page.
“Many people from all over the state and country have helped us in numerous ways. We know people want to help the families involved, which is why this GoFundMe and an account have been set up at First Bank in Wrangell, Alaska.”
The fundraiser has so far raised $30,636 of the $200,000 goal to support Wrangell.
Pictured: Ground teams, including search and rescue dogs, are actively working to search areas that state geologists have declared safe on Wednesday following a massive landslide at Mile 11 of the Zimovia Highway.
The Hellers ran a construction company called Heller High Water, said Tyla Nelson, who described herself as Beth Heller’s best friend since high school
Pictured: A helicopter arriving near Mile 11 of the Zimovia Highway
The Hellers ran 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 were married in August 2010, Nelson said.
Nelson sobbed as she described her friend as a “fantastic person.”
“And she was a wonderful mother,” she said. “She did everything for these babies.”
Wrangell School District Superintendent Bill Burr said in an email Friday that counseling will be available to students and staff Monday when school resumes after the Thanksgiving break.
“The loss of even one child is a very difficult time, and having an entire family with three students is devastating,” Burr wrote.