Alaska's remote fishing community of Wrangell has been left devastated after a massive landslide cascaded down a rain-soaked mountainside, resulting in the loss of three lives and leaving three others missing. The tragedy struck on Monday evening, during a powerful rain and windstorm that caused widespread destruction in the area.

The landslide, estimated to be 450 feet wide, occurred near Wrangell, an island community located approximately 155 miles south of the state capital, Juneau. Despite the challenging conditions, rescue crews tirelessly searched for survivors and victims. A girl's body was discovered in the initial search, followed by the recovery of two adults identified by a drone operator on Tuesday.

Efforts to find the missing individuals continue, with search teams employing a cadaver-sniffing dog and heat-sensing drones to navigate the hazardous terrain. Furthermore, the Coast Guard and other vessels are combing through the waterfront, which is now strewn with debris from the landslide.

Although one woman was rescued from an upper floor of a home and is in good condition, the disaster caused significant damage. Three homes were struck, one of which was unoccupied, according to Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniel. The landslide also left a visible scar, cutting through the mountainside down to the ocean, uprooting countless evergreen trees in its path.

In response to the emergency, Wrangell has received a disaster declaration from Governor Mike Dunleavy. The community, although broken, remains resilient and determined to locate the missing individuals. Mason Villarma, Wrangell's interim borough manager, expressed the community's unity during such tragedies, emphasizing their commitment to finding everyone.

Considering the unstable and hazardous conditions at the landslide site, a large-scale search and rescue operation was initially impossible. However, a geologist from the state transportation department arrived in Wrangell and conducted a preliminary assessment to clear certain areas for ground searches.

Authorities have cautioned about the potential for additional landslides and urged individuals east of Wrangell to evacuate by water taxi. The region experienced heavy rainfall on Monday, accumulating approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters), accompanied by wind gusts reaching 60 mph (96 kph) at higher elevations.

Weather experts believe that while the rainfall amounts were not unusual for the area, the combination of saturated soil and strong winds likely contributed to the landslide. Barrett Salisbury, a geologist with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, explains that winds toppling trees on slopes can destabilize saturated soil, leading to catastrophic events like landslides.

Wrangell now braces itself for another storm system expected to hit the area later this week, which could exacerbate the already dire situation on the ground. Southeast Alaska has seen its fair share of natural disasters, with a landslide in Haines claiming two lives in December 2020, leaving streets buried under mud and trees.

As Wrangell mourns the lives lost and continues the search for the missing, the community remains resilient, drawing strength from their unity in the face of adversity.