A landslide occurred in the mountains of central California, killing one ski resort visitor, and injuring three others. According to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office in California, an avalanche occurred at Palisades Tahoe around 9:30am on the 10th of January.
The avalanche occurred on the ski slope’s expert course and struck skiers who were at the scene. Among them, Kenneth Kidd, a 66-year-old man who was a resort guest, died, the sheriff’s office said. According to the Associated Press, of the three-remaining injured, one was receiving treatment for a leg injury, and the other two were discharged from the hospital after being treated for minor injuries.
The resort company explained that immediately after the avalanche, it mobilized about 100 employees to assist in the search and rescued two people with minor injuries relatively early. The sheriff’s office said the snow that fell from the avalanche was about 150 feet (45.72 m) wide, 450 feet (137.16 m) long, and 10 feet (3.05 m) deep. Authorities are investigating the cause of this avalanche. When the accident occurred the previous day, around 9 to 10 a.m., gusts of 50 to 61 kilometers per hour were blowing at the top of this ski resort at an altitude of 8,000 feet (2,438 m).
Skier Mark Sponsler, who was at the resort, said that at the time of the accident, the wind was so strong that he could barely see. This ski resort was where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held. According to the National Weather Service, most of the United States is currently under the influence of winter storms.
It was observed that the low pressure that developed over the southwestern United States would amplify, leading to a storm system that would affect the eastern part of the country.
Snowfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) were forecast in areas from eastern Nebraska to central Michigan. Heavy snowfall was also expected to fall in the mountainous regions of the western United States and the Rocky Mountains.
A strong wind warning has been issued for the mountains of San Bernardino County and Riverside County, east of Los Angeles (LA).