DisasterAtlasUSA

This is a record of past federal disaster declarations, not a forecast. Federal assistance figures are aid obligated under specific programs, not total damages. For current threats, check the National Weather Service and FEMA.

Home / Storms / Colorado

Avalanche — Southwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

March 30, 2012 · NOAA Storm Events record

Direct deaths
1
Direct injuries
0
Property damage
—
Area
Southwestern San Juan Mountains

Event narrative (NOAA)

A skier in a group of four decided to ski down a southeast aspect near Ophir Pass during a sunny and relatively warm afternoon. This skier initiated a wet slab avalanche that broke loose at about the 12,800 foot level and traveled a distance of over one mile with a path width of up to 500 feet. The skier was carried by the avalanche a total distance of about 4200 feet down a vertical elevation drop of about 1500 feet. Although the skier had an avalanche beacon, he was not found and uncovered from the avalanche debris until about 35 minutes after he was buried.

Other notable avalanche events in Colorado

S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet · April 20, 20135 killedNorthwestern San Juan Mountains · February 1, 20213 killedWest Elk And Sawatch Mountains/Taylor Park / W Lake / W Chaffee / Wc To Ec Gunnison · February 6, 19993 killedGore And Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys · March 13, 20072 killedS & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet · January 1, 20062 killedGore And Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys · March 17, 20002 killed

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.

Avalanche — Southwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado, March 30, 2012 | DisasterAtlasUSA