oThe death was the first US avalanche fatality of the season, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Centre, which monitors avalanches across the nation.
Three people were injured and one person died when an avalanche struck California’s well-known ski resort Palisades Tahoe, which is close to Lake Tahoe, on Wednesday morning, according to US authorities.
Authorities were forced to close Palisades Tahoe, a ski resort located more than 100 miles north of Sacramento, in order to search for survivors and victims. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, Sgt. David Smith, informed USA Today that the rescue effort has come to an end.
Kenneth Kidd, 66, a resident of Point Reyes and Truckee, has been identified as the deceased. The resort had previously stated that Kidd passed away at Tahoe Forest Hospital following the incident’s fatal injuries.
Two were treated for unknown injuries and released, while a third individual sustained a lower leg injury, according to officials.
The death on Wednesday was the first avalanche fatality in the United States this season, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Centre.
The Palisades Tahoe said in a social media post on X (previously Twitter) that the avalanche was first reported at 9.30 am and that the collapse happened on steep slopes in the GS Gully area.
Palisades Tahoe President Dee Byrne said at a press conference, “This is a very sad day for my team and everyone here.” He advised that efforts are underway to determine what caused the avalanche.
Avalanche control assessments have been finished by the resort’s ski patrol, according to Michael Gross, vice president of mountain operations.
“To get ready for today’s opening, they’ve been up there performing control work, assessing weather conditions, setting up all safety markings, hazard markings, et cetera,” he said.
When the avalanche happened, a powerful storm was predicted to dump up to 2 feet (61 cm) of snow at the highest elevations by early Thursday.
More than 630,000 households in parts of Florida and New York State lost power as a result of a series of strong storms that impacted the eastern US, according to Sky News.
In the meantime, nearly 2,000 migrants living in a large complex of tents were rescued by New York City authorities, and New Jersey governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency.
