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A landslide in southern Alaska killed one person and injured several others on Sunday, and some residents were ordered to evacuate as officials warned another landslide could occur nearby.
A landslide caused a hill to collapse in the Alaskan coastal city of Ketchikan around 4 p.m. Sunday, severely damaging several homes, businesses and roads, the city said in a release.
Ketchikan Mayor Dave Kiefer said, “In my 65 years in Ketchikan I have never seen a landslide of this magnitude.” He added, “The loss of life we have had is heartbreaking and I am heartbroken for those who have lost their homes.”
In an update, the city said that apart from the deceased, three others were also taken to hospital with injuries. One was discharged after treatment, while the other two were admitted to the hospital.
The city said all residents have been located.
But on Sunday, some residents in the area were ordered to evacuate as city officials worried another landslide could occur south of the initial landslide.
According to the release, the evacuation zone includes homes on Third Avenue, Second Avenue and Walter Street, First Avenue and White Cliff Avenue between Austin Street and Nadeau Street.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a disaster emergency declaration for Ketchikan, saying in a post on Twitter that “all state agencies have been directed to provide whatever assistance is needed.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with the residents of Ketchikan tonight,” the governor said.
The city said emergency shelter is available at the local high school and response teams are on standby in case another landslide occurs.
City Mayor Saffir and Borough Mayor Rodney Dial also issued a joint local disaster emergency declaration on Sunday.
“While we work through this, please pray for the families affected and know that we will do everything we can to recover from this incident as quickly as possible and help those in need. We sincerely appreciate the first responders, medical personnel, volunteers, businesses and others who provided assistance,” Dial said.
A landslide occurred at almost the same location in Ketchikan, Alaska, on Sunday afternoon, officials said.
The landslide sent a dense wave of broken trees, downed power poles and mud crashing down on a row of homes built along a hillside. Photos shared by the city showed a wall of debris crashing into the side of several homes.
Electricity, phone and internet services have been disrupted in the area, according to local power company KPU Electric. The city warned of downed power lines shortly after the landslide.
Although service had been restored to many homes and businesses by Sunday night, at least six downed power poles could not be safely repaired, the KPU said in an update.
Photos shared by the power company showed the road completely blocked by fallen trees and a power pole.
The city said in a Facebook post that KPU customer service and city hall offices will be closed on Monday due to the landslide.
Residents could also face traffic delays, as several roads near the evacuation zone are closed, the city said in another post.
Ketchikan, with a population of about 14,000, sits on the southern portion of Alaska's Inside Passage – a waterway renowned for its stunning landscapes, fjords and glaciers. The city claims to be the salmon capital of the world.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
CNN’s Jillian Sykes and Amanda Jackson contributed to this report.