Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced on social media on Thursday afternoon that he’s making a disaster declaration following destructive landslides in and around Haines.

“More resources & assistance are on the way for the people of Haines,” he tweeted. 

In a separate tweet, the governor said he’d been in touch with Haines officials.

“Every state resource will be made available to the people of Haines in their time of need,” he said via Twitter.

There are still two missing residents. Four of the six people thought to be missing on Wednesday, were accounted for Thursday morning. But Beach Road residents Jenae Larson and David Simmons have been missing since Wednesday afternoon’s mudslide.

David Simmons and Libby Jacobson. Image used with permission from Simmons family

David Simmons is 30 years old. He is the Executive Director of the Haines Economic Cooperation and runs a shuttle business for tourists in the summer months.

His father, Randall Simmons, says he is fluent in several languages and has traveled the world, but fell in love with Haines after visiting his cousin.

“Of all the places and around the entire world, Haines was his home forever,” he said Thursday afternoon. 

Jenae Larson on the porch of the Port Chilkoot Distillery in Haines. Larson is one of two Haines residents missing after a landslide on Wednesday, December 2. (Photo Courtesy of Jenae Larson’s family)

Jenae Larson is a “beloved kindergarten teacher” at Haines Elementary School, says Roy Getchell, superintendent of schools. The 23 year old Haines High Schoolgraduated returned after college for to teach for the school district this year.

“Our best hopes, wishes and prayers are with the responders and with the folks that they’re searching for, including Jenae,” Getchell said Thursday. “And we love her and want to see her come home for sure. She’s an amazing, amazing person.”

Juneau Economic Development Council Executive Director Brian Holst says he’s worked closely with Simmons in recent months helping the region weather the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. He says Simmons helped spearhead a drive to encourage Haines residents to shop locally and support struggling small businesses in town.

“David is a pleasure to work with, really smart, energetic, also doing some clever, some good work in Haines,” Holst said Thursday. “I know he’s a strong, capable person. So I just am holding out hope that all is well for him.” 

As darkness fell around 3 p.m. Thursday, Haines Mayor Douglas Olerud announced the search would be suspended until morning light.

“Coastline search and helicopter surveys were conducted throughout the day and wrapped up at dark. Ground is currently too unstable for a ground search,” he said.

The ongoing recovery is supplemented by firefighters from across Southeast Alaska, U.S. Coast Guard personnel and first responders from state agencies. Haines Borough has declared a local disaster with dozens displaced and roads blocked by flooding and debris.

With saturated ground from record rainfall, a Flash Flood Watch remains in effect across all of Haines and Skagway until at least Friday afternoon.

With additional reporting from CoastAlaska’s Jacob Resneck.