NEVADA COUNTY, Calif.– Local California officials said 10 back country skiers have been reported missing following an avalanche Tuesday morning on Castle Peak mountain in the Sierra Nevada.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said the avalanche occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time, and a group of skiers is unaccounted for.
A rescue operation is underway with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue to find the missing group of skiers.
DANGERS OF AVALANCHES, AND WHAT TO DO IF AN AVALANCHE IS COMING AT YOU
A group of 16 skiers — including four ski guides and 12 clients — were on the mountain when the avalanche happened. The sheriff’s office said at least six of the skiers have survived and are awaiting rescue at the avalanche site.
Dozens of emergency responders are involved in the rescue, but officials say weather conditions remain highly dangerous.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA – JANUARY 28: Deep snow covers the trees along Highway 50 on January 28, 2017, in South Lake Tahoe, California.
(George Rose / Getty Images)
Both Interstate 80 and Highway 50 remain closed at the summit of Castle Peak due to a winter storm dumping feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Heavy snow and high winds have been a problem all day, with conditions continuing through much of this week.
Over two feet of snow has fallen in Sierra Nevada, causing travel issues as major interstates and passes remain impassable. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray is live in Stateline, Nevada, with the latest.
“Widespread areas of unstable snow and numerous avalanches are expected today,” the Sierra Avalanche Center said. “Avalanches could be triggered from very low on the slope in some areas. Avalanches from above could travel down through treed terrain, often thought of as ‘safe’ during storms.”
(FOX Weather)
Travel in the avalanche area is not advised during such extreme conditions. The Sierra Avalanche Center said if travel can’t be avoided, use extreme caution and prepare for low visibility around the mountains.
An avalanche risk remains in effect through 5 a.m. on Wednesday, and the Sierra Avalanche Center said large avalanches are expected to occur across back country terrain.
SNOWMOBILER DIES FOLLOWING AVALANCHE IN CALIFORNIA
An avalanche in the region in early January left a snowmobile trapped in nearby Truckee. A search and rescue mission uncovered the snowmobile buried in snow, but he didn’t survive.
This is a developing story. Check back for new updates.
