Avalanches Threaten California Apartment Building; Emergency Resources Called In

On Tuesday, February 28th, an avalanche struck an occupied three-story apartment building in Olympic Valley, Placer County, California.^[0] The avalanche had a width of approximately 200 yards and a depth of 25 feet, covering the bottom two stories of the building.^[1] Fortunately, nobody was injured, and the fire crews were able to help the occupants evacuate the building.^[2]

The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team were called out for the incident and used their K-9s to search for additional potential victims.^[3] The sheriff's office said that, “At this time there is no indication anyone else was caught in the path of the avalanche.”^[4]

As a result of the heightened avalanche risk, several additional areas were evacuated, including Shirley Canyon Rd to Granite Chief Rd., Granite Chief Rd., Sandy Way from Wayne Rd. to Navajo Ct., Summit Peak Rd., and Summer Pl.^[5] The Community Recreation Center at 10981 Truckee Way was also opened as an evacuation center.^[6]

The snow conditions have been likened to those of 2002-2003, when 25 people perished in avalanches in British Columbia.^[7] It is anticipated that there will be a bit of a respite from the snow on Wednesday and Thursday, yet a storm is forecasted to arrive this weekend.^[8] At roughly 2:45 p.m. on Friday, Park City Mountain paused the 9990 Express lift due to “snow safety.”^[9] The Panorama Ski Resort representatives stated that it was not on their grounds.^[10]

Search and rescue personnel, RCMP officers, and police dog services have all been deployed to the scene for emergency assistance.^[11] Create a free account now, and get the latest news delivered to your inbox from Monday to Saturday.^[12] Have you already registered?^[12] Click here to login.^[12]

0. “Avalanche Buries Tahoe Apartment Building, Several Areas Evacuated Over Avalanche Risk” SFist, 1 Mar. 2023, https://sfist.com/2023/03/01/avalanche-buries-tahoe-apartment-building-several-areas-evacuated-over-avalanche-risk

1. “Avalanche strikes Northern California's Olympic Valley” KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.ktvu.com/news/avalanche-strikes-northern-californias-olympic-valley

2. “How does an avalanche occur and what are the warning signs?” KTXL FOX 40 Sacramento, 2 Mar. 2023, https://fox40.com/news/california-connection/how-does-an-avalanche-occur-and-what-are-the-warning-signs/

3. “Sheriff: Everyone accounted for after avalanche in Olympic Valley” ABC10.com KXTV, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/avalanche-olympic-valley/103-758b5ab5-74e5-4f30-a6fe-ce949aa9824d

4. “Avalanche hits California apartments amid extreme snow; residents safely evacuated” Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.sacbee.com/news/weather-news/article272635001.html

5. “Evacuations still in place after avalanche buries apartment building in Olympic Valley” ABC10.com KXTV, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/avalanche-olympic-valley-placer/103-41df41f8-0d19-459f-b26e-5c2670268c29

6. “Evacuation warnings issued for Placer County residents near where avalanche happened” KCRA Sacramento, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.kcra.com/article/olympic-valley-evacuation-warnings-avalanche/43149814

7. “At least 1 killed, others seriously injured in avalanche in B.C. Interior, police say” CBC.ca, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/invermere-avalanche-british-columbia-1.6764948

8. “Avalanche buries three-storey apartment block in California storm” AOL, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.aol.com/news/avalanche-buries-three-storey-apartment-190250479.html

9. “Avalanche reported in Dutch Draw area, no burials” The Park Record, 25 Feb. 2023, https://www.parkrecord.com/news/avalanche-reported-in-dutch-draw-area-no-burials/

10. “Reports of avalanche in Invermere area – Today In BC” Today In BC – Today In BC, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.todayinbc.com/news/reports-of-avalanche-in-invermere-area

11. “1 killed, more feared dead and injured after avalanche near Invermere, B.C.” Global News, 2 Mar. 2023, https://globalnews.ca/news/9521663/multiple-injuries-avalanche-invermere-b-c/

12. “UPDATE: 4 sent to hospital after Invermere avalanche – Coast Mountain News” Coast Mountain News, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.coastmountainnews.com/news/reports-of-avalanche-in-invermere-area/