Avalanche — West Elk And Sawatch Mountains, Colorado
March 9, 2019 · NOAA Storm Events record
Direct deaths
1
Direct injuries
0
Property damage
—
Area
West Elk And Sawatch Mountains
Event narrative (NOAA)
Two people were clearing snow from a low-angled roof south of Crested Butte when the snow avalanched. Both individuals were caught and buried for around 10 minutes until someone noticed the avalanche. After emergency services arrived, the first person was dug out and survived. The second person was buried more deeply and when they were located by probing, they were not breathing. The two individuals were buried for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
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 killedWest Elk And Sawatch Mountains/Taylor Park / W Lake / W Chaffee / Wc To Ec Gunnison · February 6, 19993 killedNorthwestern San Juan Mountains · February 1, 20213 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.