Avalanche Tragedy in Washington’s Cascade Mountains: Two Men Killed, Two Survivors Rescued
The National Avalanche Center and the U.S. Forest Service put together a video explaining the dangers of avalanches and the weather forecasts you should look over to stay out of danger.
ELLENSBURG, Wash. – A devastating avalanche in a remote area near Longs Pass in Washington’s Cascade Mountains last Friday resulted in the loss of two lives. The incident occurred when four backcountry travelers were caught in the avalanche around 4:00 p.m. local time, according to Kittitas County Sheriff’s officials.
Avalanche Safety and Weather Forecasts
Kittitas County Sheriff’s officials reported that the two survivors were able to send a distress signal using a satellite radio and were rescued that evening. Recovery teams airlifted the bodies of the victims on Saturday. The cause of the avalanche has not been released yet.
The party was using two snowmobiles to travel when the avalanche occurred. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, and an exact cause has not been determined.
Avalanche Evacuations and Weather Conditions
Avalanches are also triggering evacuation advisories in areas of Alaska as an atmospheric river passes through, causing flooding and life-threatening conditions in the Alaskan Panhandle. Parts of the Pacific Northwest were under a High Avalanche Risk last week after recent atmospheric rivers dropped feet of snow across the Cascades.
Avalanches are triggering evacuation advisories in areas of Alaska as an atmospheric river is passing through the area, triggering flooding and life-threatening conditions in the Alaskan Panhandle.
A weaker atmospheric river will persist through Tuesday morning, bringing snow to higher elevations and rain to the foothills of the Cascades and Olympic Mountains. An avalanche threat remains for part of the Cascades through Monday.
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