Alaska Post 12 lending helping hand after devastating landslides

A week after a devastating series of landslides that left at least two people missing, the community of Haines, Alaska, is trying to recover while facing the threat of more landslides and flooding.

“We are still in a potential evacuation situation all across our community,” Chuck Mitman, American Legion Lynn Canal Post 12 commander, wrote in an email.

Since the Dec. 2 landslides, Post 12 has been collecting food, clothing and paper products, and offering food, clothing and supplies to those in need, Mitman said. Dozens of households in the area were evacuated because of the threat of landslides brought on by heavy rain.

The weather forced state troopers on Monday to call off a search for David Simmons, director of the Haines Economic Development Corp., and kindergarten teacher Jenae Larson. Simmons’ home was in the path of a 600-foot-wide landslide, and Larson lived in an apartment above Simmons’ garage, according to the Anchorage Daily News.

Mitman said Larson is the niece of Ann Robinson, the first vice president of American Legion Auxiliary Department of Alaska.

The Alaska National Guard had assisted in search-and-rescue efforts, delivering 1,200 pounds of medical and rescue supplies, three teams of search dogs and personnel from other organizations before returning to their stations Tuesday, according to Army Times.

Mitman said several Post 12 members had been evacuated due to the landslides.

“The post building was not hit, but we are definitely overtaxed,” he wrote.

Still, Mitman said, the community has been “amazing” in the disaster’s aftermath.

“Everyone is working together. I am sure when we are allowed to breathe, we will need to fix a lot of things,” Mitman wrote.