City of Ketchikan

10/23/2026

Dust off that costume and come Trick or Treat with us here at KPU Customer Service in the Plaza Mall!

10/22/2026

10/22/2026

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE | October 15th Weather Event -Update 4
Date: October 21, 2026
Contacts: Amanda Dale, Public Information Officer, 907-228-2340
Kim Simpson, Public Information Officer, 907-228-5458

For Immediate Release:
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will transition to an advisory level following today’s operations.
Ketchikan Public Utilities (KPU) plans to place its mobile substation into temporary service at the API Ward Cove property and have it energized by Monday, October 26, 2026. This substation will be able to power the customers ordinarily covered by the damaged Ward Cove substation.
City of Ketchikan employees have been moving supplies and equipment out of the Harbormaster maintenance building in preparation for demolition, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow, October 22, 2026.
The maintenance building, located south of Harbormaster office building, was already planned for demolition. However, damage to the storm drain caused by the October 15 Weather Event has expedited the timeline by approximately one month. Because the building sits directly above the storm drain, it must be removed to allow for the drain’s replacement.
A new maintenance building is scheduled to be constructed by spring 2027.

Additional updates will be shared through press releases as information becomes available.

10/21/2026

TEMPORARY LABORER for the City of Ketchikan - Public Works Solid Waste Division.
Temporary Full-time, $25.80 - $26.99/hr, DOQ.

*Performs routine unskilled or semi-skilled manual labor, which may include operating motorized equipment.
* Position will not exceed six (6) months. Must have a valid Alaska driver's license upon hire.
EMPLOYMENT OFFERS WILL BE CONTINGENT ON PASSING A PRE-EMPLOYMENT ALCOHOL AND DRUG SCREENING TEST.

Position is open until filled; EOE/AA.

10/21/2026

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE | October 15th Weather Event -Update 3
Date: October 20, 2026
Contacts: Amanda Dale, Public Information Officer, 907-228-2340
Kim Simpson, Public Information Officer, 907-228-5458

For Immediate Release:
Ketchikan Public Utilities (KPU) plans to deploy a mobile substation in Ward Cove, with energization anticipated early next week. The mobile substation will help support power service while the Ward Cove Substation remains out of commission. Coordination with contractors is ongoing to develop stabilization and mitigation plans for the Ward Cove Substation slide area.
At the Harbormaster site, a replacement storm drainpipe has been ordered and is expected to arrive in approximately two to three weeks. In the meantime, a relief hole has been cut into the existing storm drain and storm water will be directed down the northside of the boat launch and into the ocean. The north end side of the boat launch will be closed but the south side of it will remain open. The driveway to the public parking lot is restricted to one vehicle at a time. Please exercise caution and avoid the area if possible.
Additional updates will be shared through press releases as information becomes available.

Image of bags being laid down to direct storm water and storm drain relief hole at Harbormaster lot courtesy of City of Ketchikan.
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10/20/2026

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE | October 15th Weather Event -Update 2

Date: October 19 2026

Contacts: Amanda Dale, Public Information Officer, 907-228-2340
Kim Simpson, Public Information Officer, 907-228-5458

For Immediate Release:

On Monday, October 19, 2026, City of Ketchikan Mayor Bob Sivertsen and Ketchikan Gateway Borough Mayor Austin Otos, signed a revised joint declaration of emergency to include the storm drain damage at the Harbormaster Maintenance Building.

Alaska State geologists toured the Ward Cove Electric Substation slide site to assess slope stability and collect information that will be used for stabilization and mitigation plans for the area. The public is asked to not attempt access to the slide area, as it is still unstable.

Excavation efforts have begun on the damaged drainpipe site at the Harbormaster lot. Barriers have been placed for public safety around the site. This trench and the area around the trench are not stable and individuals should avoid the fenced in area. Conditions near the original collapse at the water’s edge remain unstable. Please exercise caution and avoid the area.

Additional updates will be shared through press releases as information becomes available.

10/19/2026

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE | October 15th Weather Event Activates EOC
The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will open on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Ketchikan Fire Department, located at 70 Bawden, Ketchikan, AK to coordinate recovery efforts for the destruction caused by the October 15, 2026 storm.

On Friday, October 16, 2026, City of Ketchikan Mayor Bob Sivertsen and Ketchikan Gateway Borough Mayor Austin Otos signed a joint declaration of emergency for the natural disaster.

The extreme wind and rain that struck the community on October 15 resulted in a landslide that catastrophically damaged the Ward Cove KPU Electric Substation located at Mile 6, N Tongass Highway. On Saturday, October 17, Harbormaster staff discovered that the heavy waterflow had also caused severe damage behind the Harbormaster maintenance building, located at 2933 Tongass Avenue. Part of the bank collapsed into the ocean, and the parking lot is undermined by broken storm drains under the surface.

State of Alaska DOT Geologists arrive Monday to assess the Ward Cove site for safety concerns and to advise on stabilization and mitigation plans for the area. Once a plan is determined, heavy equipment will be removing debris in the area of the substation, located at Mile 6 North Tongass Highway. Work is not expected to start on that site until Tuesday October 20, 2026. The public is asked to not attempt to access the substation site, as it is still unstable.

Portions of the Harbormaster parking lot will be cordoned off beginning Monday October 19, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Public parking in the lot will remain available but may be limited at times. Crews will begin opening the pavement to inspect and access the storm drains. Conditions near the collapse are unstable. Please exercise caution and be aware of heavy equipment in the area.