In a devastating event, a massive landslide tore through the island community of Wrangell, striking three homes, burying a highway, and cutting off access to about 54 homes from town. The slide, which occurred during heavy rains and strong winds, left residents stranded and in need of essential supplies.

The landslide, estimated to be 450ft wide, carved a destructive path from the top of the mountain above the community to the ocean, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Fortunately, one of the affected homes was unoccupied at the time of the incident.

Meteorological reports indicate that Wrangell experienced about 2 inches of rainfall from early Monday until late evening, accompanied by strong wind gusts of up to 60 mph at higher elevations. These extreme weather conditions likely contributed to the severity of the landslide.

As a result of the devastating incident, roughly 35 to 45 residents have chosen to stay in the area despite being cut off from the town. Mason Villarma, the interim manager of the affected borough, has coordinated efforts to provide essential supplies to these stranded residents. Boats have become the lifeline, delivering food, fuel, water, and prescription medications to the isolated homes along the 13-mile stretch of paved road.

Villarma emphasized the challenges posed by the island's geography, with the town situated at the northern point and the houses scattered along the coastal road. Currently, the ocean is the only means of access to these residences, highlighting the community's dependence on maritime transportation during this crisis.

The local authorities, along with emergency response teams, are working diligently to assess the damage caused by the landslide and restore access to the affected homes. However, the magnitude of the destruction and ongoing weather conditions present significant obstacles to these efforts.

For the residents of Wrangell, this disaster serves as a stark reminder of the uncontrollable forces of nature and the resilience required in the face of such adversity. As the island community pulls together to support their stranded neighbors, efforts to rebuild and restore normalcy in this remote part of Alaska will undoubtedly continue in the coming days and weeks.