2020 Southeast Landslides

March 23, 2026

Soil and debris form a landslide spilling into the ocean

Overview

Beginning on December 1st, 2020, northern Southeast Alaska experienced landslides and flooding caused by record-breaking precipitation. Haines, Juneau, and Skagway all broke daily and 48 hour precipitation records, with 10.26 inches of precipitation recorded at the Haines airport over just two days. The precipitation was compounded by the melting of excessive November snowfall which increased runoff. Combined runoff and precipitation saturated soil, creating multiple landslides. The estimated property damage was $20.3 million and transportation damage was $34 million (2020 dollars). One 600-foot wide landslide in Haines on Beach Road killed two residents. Seven communities declared disasters including Haines, Juneau, Skagway, Gustavus, Hoonah, Tenakee Springs, and Hyder.

First spills over a mountain blocking a coastal road in Haines, Alaska

Massive amounts of dirt and debris form a fatal landslide that spills over a road into the ocean in Haines.

Landslides in Haines wreaked destruction. Photo by US Coast Guard (top) and Alaska State Troopers (bottom)

Disaster Declared

Dec. 3, 2020: Governor Dunleavy issued a disaster declaration
Feb. 17, 2021 President Biden approved federal disaster declaration

FEMA approved $1.4 million in public assistance (2020 dollars) and the State of Alaska approved funding for individual assistance including property damage

Weather Woes

The record-breaking precipitation was caused by an unusually strong atmospheric river: a long, narrow band of moisture stretching from the subtropics to higher latitudes. The heavy rain destabilized soils, triggering landslides and driving some rivers to record flood levels. Impacts were exacerbated by mild air that melted large amounts of snowpack (from the second snowiest November in 20 years in Haines), increasing the amount of runoff and further contributing to unstable soils, landslides, and localized flooding.

Community Specific Impacts

Regional differences

The record-breaking precipitation caused a variety of impacts in Southeast Alaska, including landslides, flooding, and washed out roads. The Haines area was highly impacted from a fatal landslide in a residential area.

Vector image of Southeast Alaska with impacted communities (listed below) labeled in their respective locations. Haines marked with a star to communicate highly impacted area. — Impacted communities in Southeast Alaska, created by Anjali Shah (ACCAP)

Haines area: Fatal landslide on Beach Road on Dec. 2 led to six missing people: four were found alive and two died; every major road had a significant damage or a landslide which led to the evacuation of 50 families; two homes destroyed, seven homes suffered major damage, and 16 homes suffered minor damage; 40 homes on Lutak Road were without power and running water and isolated from downtown (some for three or more days); Haines Borough switched from hydropower to a diesel/fuel generator, but washed out roads isolated downtown from the dock where fuel and other supply shipments were incoming; schools, the clinic, and the airport were closed

Gustavus: Record high water and flooding of Salmon River; no landslides or fatalities

Pelican: Power and phone outages from fallen trees

Hoonah: Debris and water covered roads; minimal damage reported

Tenakee Springs: Two bridges washed out; some residences cut off from town; many fallen trees

Hyder: Avalanches and debris flows blocked road and isolated community; power outages

Petersburg: Record high water levels and flooding at Falls Creek

Ketchikan: Near-record water levels and flooding at Ketchikan Dam; short-term evacuations

Juneau: One house damaged from a landslide, landslide damaged water supply line and reduced hatchery’s salmon returns, Glacier Highway closed due to mudslide; record high water levels at Jordan Creek, record flooding; washed out roads filled with mud and debris; precautionary evacuation from at least one house; fallen trees caused an injury and multiple power outages

Storm total precipitation

Community	Precipitation
Pelican	17.53 inches*
Haines Airport	10.52 inches*
Skagway	9.92 inches*
Elfin Cove	9.18 inches
Hoonah	7.87 inches*
Gustavus	7.35 inches
Juneau Airport	6.65 inches*

*denotes all-time daily record rainfall. Data Source: NOAA NWS.

References

Darrow, M. M., Nelson, V. A., Grilliot, M., Wartman, J., Jacobs, A., Baichtal, J. F., & Buxton, C. (2022). Geomorphology and initiation mechanisms of the 2020 Haines, Alaska landslide. Landslides, 19(9), 2177–2188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-022-01899-3

KTOO News Department (2020, December 2). Record rain brings floods and mudslides to Juneau. KTOO. https://www.ktoo.org/

DOT&PF 2020 Storm Recovery. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2026, from https://ak2020stormrecovery.com/

Stremple, C., KHNS-. (2020a, December 3). Two Haines residents still missing after devastating landslide; Gov. Dunleavy declares emergency. KTOO. https://www.ktoo.org/

Stremple, C., KHNS-. (2020b, December 5). Dozens of Haines residents evacuated from their homes as rain and landslides continue. KTOO. https://www.ktoo.org/

Leasia, H. and Stremple, C., KHNS-. (2020c, December 2). Large landslide in Haines prompts evacuations and a search for missing people. KTOO. https://www.ktoo.org/

Leasia, H., KHNS-. (2020d, December 4). Haines groups organize relief efforts for residents displaced by landslides. KTOO. https://www.ktoo.org/

Leasia, H., KHNS-. (2020e, December 4). In Haines, crews work to clear roads and storm drains, restore power and water treatment. KTOO. https://www.ktoo.org/

Leasia, H., KHNS-. (2021a, January 5). Governor expands disaster declaration for Southeast Alaska to include relief for individuals. KTOO. https://www.ktoo.org/

Leasia, H., KHNS-. (2021b, February 23). FEMA to assist Southeast Alaska communities with cost of December storm disaster. KTOO. https://www.ktoo.org/

Lockett, M. S. (2020, December 2). Heavy rain and mudslides strike buildings, wash out roads. Juneau Empire. https://www.juneauempire.com/

Pemberton, J., & KTOO, J. P. (2020, December 2). Record-breaking rainfall leaves muddy mess across Southeast Alaska. KTOO. https://www.ktoo.org/

KCAW Staff. (2020, December 3). Sitka and surrounding communities assess damage after record-breaking storm. KCAW. https://www.kcaw.org/

Storm Events Database—Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information. (n.d.-a). Retrieved March 16, 2026, from https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/

Storm Events Database—Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information. (n.d.-b). Retrieved March 16, 2026, from https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/

Storm Events Database—Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information. (n.d.-c). Retrieved March 16, 2026, from https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/

US Department of Commerce, N. (n.d.-a). Alaska-Pacific RFC. NOAA’s National Weather Service. Retrieved March 16, 2026, from https://www.weather.gov/aprfc/ US Department of Commerce, N. (n.d.-b). Juneau, AK. NOAA’s National Weather Service. Retrieved March 16, 2026, from https://www.weather.gov/ajk?story=2