The Haines School District has been through a tumultuous year. The pandemic isolated students socially and the December storms left some without a home. And its beloved kindergarten teacher, Jenae Larson, was lost in a landslide.
KHNS - Haines
‘We live in limbo’: Haines residents displaced by landslide seek path to return home
Many Beach Road residents say they are frustrated by a lack of communication with officials charged with making crucial decisions about the future of their homes.
State offers few details on efforts to bring cruise ships safely back to Alaska in 2021
A working group to reboot the cruise industry in Alaska is in the works, says Alaska’s commissioner for health and social services. But those working most closely with the cruise industry say they’re not in the loop.
Princess and Holland America cancel cruises through mid-May
The first cruise line has canceled at least some of its sailings to Alaska in 2021. Princess normally sends its first cruise ships to Alaska in late April.
Homeowners plea for access to Beach Road as Haines Borough assesses landslide hazard
The Haines Borough says it is still unsafe for some residents return to their homes on Beach Road after a landslide swept through the area last month. But some homeowners say they need access so they can gather belongings and protect their homes from deteriorating while they’re unoccupied.
A month after the Haines mudslide, rescuers and survivors reflect on the Beach Road evacuation
On Monday, the water was clear and rolling in a north wind. Snow covered the scar running down the side of Mount Riley. That eerie calm almost concealed the violence of the Dec. 2 storm that lashed rain and brought down trees and the side of a mountain.
Governor expands disaster declaration for Southeast Alaska to include relief for individuals
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has expanded the disaster declaration for the severe December storm swept through Southeast Alaska to include relief for individuals whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
With some residents still displaced, Haines seeks help from engineers to assess unstable hillside
The unstable hillside above Beach Road led to the suspension of the search and rescue efforts and prevented many residents from returning to their homes.
There was no COVID-19 outbreak in Haines after disaster, despite evacuations and less social distancing
Only three Haines residents have tested positive for the coronavirus since the Dec. 2 disaster, according to state data. But according to the Haines Emergency Operations Center, those people have Haines addresses. None are actually in town.
Landslide victim’s legacy helps Haines disaster survivors
A “shop local” initiative — originally spearheaded by one of the disaster’s victims — is helping dozens of households displaced by the deadly landslide in Haines.