Landslide Detection Technology Could Be Coming Soon For Sitka Residents
Southeast Alaska frequently experiences landslides, attributed to its intense rainfall and geological features, which include steep, forest-covered mountains. Recent years have seen fatal landslides in cities like Sitka, Haines, and Wrangell.
Jeff Meucci, a former assembly member, has initiated a scientific discussion in Petersburg regarding landslide early warning systems, expressing his concern about potential risks in the area. Meucci believes that Petersburg faces similar landslide dangers as Haines, Sitka, and Wrangell.
In 2015, a devastating landslide in Sitka resulted in three fatalities. In response, the Sitka Sound Science Center developed a landslide alert system for the town. Lisa Busch, the director of the center, is scheduled to visit Petersburg on January 17 and 18 to discuss this system and the science behind landslides.
Landslides, more likely during heavy rainfall, are challenging to predict due to factors like geology, vegetation, and water flow. Busch points out a common issue with top-down warning systems: they can lead to “warning fatigue,” where communities start doubting the system’s reliability if their area isn’t directly affected.
Busch emphasizes, “The community starts to not trust the system.”
To combat this, Sitka’s approach involves a community-centric system. A mobile app displays risk levels, allowing residents to decide their comfort with the potential risk.
Following the scientific talk in Petersburg, Busch will facilitate a local workshop to explore the feasibility of a tailored landslide warning system for Petersburg. She stresses the importance of community involvement in such initiatives.
Busch remarks, “It’s crucial to involve the community in developing these systems. They need to reflect the values of the community and their perception of risk.”
The Sitka Sound Science Center is currently collaborating with six Tribal villages in Southeast Alaska to develop specialized landslide warning systems suited to each community’s specific needs.
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