Current:Home > Contact'Beloved' father who was clearing storm drains identified as victim of Alaska landslide -BeyondWealth Learning
'Beloved' father who was clearing storm drains identified as victim of Alaska landslide
View
Date:2025-04-14 14:08:17
An Alaska community is mourning the loss of a father who died in the Sunday landslide that left three others injured and prompted dozens of homes to evacuate.
Land detached from a hillside in Ketchikan around 4 p.m. local time, significantly damaging roads, ruining homes and knocking out power in the small Alaskan port city known as a popular stop for cruises, officials said in a media release on Sunday.
“In my 65 years in Ketchikan, I have never seen a slide of this magnitude,” Ketchikan Mayor Dave Kiffer said in the release. “The loss of life that we have encountered is heartbreaking, and my heart goes out to those who lost their homes."
One person died and three people were taken to a hospital to be treated for unspecified injuries, city officials said.
Landslide victim remembered as 'beloved' husband and father
Ketchikan officials identified the victim who died in the landslide as Sean Griffin, a public works employee who was clearing storm drains when the landslide struck.
Officials added that Griffin was a “beloved husband, father, son, neighbor, and coworker.”
Griffin followed his mom into public service and worked as the senior maintenance technician of the City of Ketchikan Public Works team, per the release.
“It was his commitment to the community that caused him to respond to the call for assistance during his scheduled time off," the release said. “Sean and another team member were clearing stormwater drains when they were caught in the landslide on the Third Avenue Bypass.”
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy made a post on X sending his condolences to the Griffin family.
"Rose and I are holding the Griffin family and the entire Ketchikan community close in our hearts as we send our deepest condolences for the tragic loss of Sean Griffin," Dunleavy wrote in the post.
At least 4 homes 'critically damaged'
In a media release on Tuesday, Ketchikan officials said the landslide “critically damaged four homes, with damages still being assessed for homes adjacent to the slide area.”
Many residents and businesses downhill of the slide area have reported flooding and roughly 60 homes in the area were ordered to evacuate, officials said.
“Meteorologists are onsite reviewing weather conditions and providing guidance for responders,” the release said. “Geologists have been working at the slide area assessing the soil stability and conducting measurements.”
Photos show the damage of the Ketchikan landslide
Photos and videos captured the the damage the landslide left behind in Ketchikan.
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY.
Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.
veryGood! (9169)
Related
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Kia and Hyundai recall 3.3 million cars, tell owners to park outside
- Demi Moore Shakes Off a Nip Slip Like a Pro During Paris Fashion Week
- Anti-vax pet parents put animals at risk, study shows. Why experts say you shouldn't skip your dog's shots.
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- 'We are just ecstatic': Man credits granddaughter for helping him win $2 million from scratch off game
- Bulgarian parliament approves additional weapons to Ukraine to aid in its war with Russia
- Charges refiled against ex-Philadelphia officer who fatally shot man after judge dismissed case
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- New Netflix series explores reported UFO 'Encounters'. It couldn't come at a better time.
Ranking
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Pregnant Jana Kramer Shares Bonding Moment Between Fiancé Allan Russell and Ex Mike Caussin
- McIlroy says LIV defectors miss Ryder Cup more than Team Europe misses them
- Level up leftovers with Tiffani Thiessen’s surf & turf tacos
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Week 5 college football predictions: Can Deion, Colorado regroup? | College Football Fix
- Britain approves new North Sea oil drilling, delighting the industry but angering critics
- Azerbaijan says 192 of its troops were killed in last week’s offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
New Netflix series explores reported UFO 'Encounters'. It couldn't come at a better time.
Trudeau apologizes for recognition of Nazi unit war veteran in Canadian Parliament
Prosecutors say cheek swab from Gilgo Beach murder suspect adds to evidence of guilt
The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
Egyptian rights group says 73 supporters of a presidential challenger have been arrested
Breanna Stewart's Liberty even series with Alyssa Thomas' Sun after 'emotional' MVP reveal
Harry Styles and Taylor Russell Give a Sign of the Times With Subtle PDA on London Outing