Alaska Landslide Claims Lives of Family and Local Fisherman, Leaves Others Missing

48

On Friday, officials disclosed the identities of those presumed dead or missing in a recent landslide in Alaska, which include a family of five and their neighboring commercial fisherman, who had vied for Alaska’s solitary U.S. House seat last year.

The Heller family—Timothy, 44; Beth, 36; and their children Mara, 16; Derek, 12; and Kara, 11—were at their residence when the landslide hit on Monday night. Rescuers recovered the bodies of the parents and their eldest child later that night or early Tuesday. The two younger children and their neighbor, 65-year-old Otto Florschutz, remain unaccounted for, as per the statement from the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

The landslide left Florschutz’s wife as a survivor.

Florschutz, who had a background in Republican politics and had served on Wrangell’s Port Commission, entered the congressional race following the death of U.S. Rep. Don Young. He garnered 193 votes from a total of nearly 162,000.

During the campaign, as stated in a candidate profile by the Anchorage Daily News, Florschutz highlighted his diverse skill set, including 42 years in commercial fishing, community service, boat repair, and more.

Beth Heller, remembered for her service on the Wrangell School Board from 2019 to 2020 and earlier involvement in the parent advisory committee, co-owned a construction business named Heller High Water with her husband, as recounted by her lifelong friend Tyla Nelson.

Nelson emotionally recalled Beth Heller as an exemplary person and a devoted mother who prioritized her children’s well-being.

The landslide, which occurred amid a rainstorm and high winds, cleared a path of evergreen trees from the mountain’s peak down to the ocean, engulfing a local highway in Wrangell, a community situated about 155 miles (250 kilometers) south of Juneau.

Estimated at 450 feet (137 meters) in width, the landslide took place during adverse weather conditions, including about 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain and wind gusts reaching 60 mph (96 kph), as reported by Aaron Jacobs, a National Weather Service hydrologist and meteorologist in Juneau.

The disaster has isolated approximately 54 homes from the main town, with around 35 to 45 residents opting to stay. Supplies like food, fuel, water, and medications are being transported to them by boats, stated Mason Villarma, the interim borough manager. The geographical layout of the island necessitates reliance on the ocean for accessing these residences.

Efforts to clear the debris from the affected roadway were ongoing as of Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Alaska landslide victims

More about Alaska landslide victims

• Alaska Landslide Incident Report
• Wrangell Community Response
• Heller Family Tribute
• Otto Florschutz’s Congressional Campaign
• Wrangell Landslide Weather Analysis
• Alaska Department of Public Safety Update