Two teens were injured, one seriously, during a roof avalanche at a home in Breckenridge on Monday. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) reports the teens were playing outside when snow slid off the roof and partially buried the pair.
“This is a tragic accident. Like any avalanche accident, we want to warn people about being caught in a similar event. Roof avalanches are a problem every year in mountain communities, but right now we have a lot of snow in unusual places. We remain concerned about this hazard throughout the week.” -CAIC Director Ethan Greene
Roof avalanches are extremely dangerous and can cause serious injury and even death. The last fatal roof avalanche occurred on March 16th, 2023, when two children and a father were buried near Durango. One of the children was killed. In the past 30 years 5 people have been killed by roof avalanches in Colorado.
Our thoughts are with the boys families. For more information on roof avalanche safety GO HERE.
Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC):
On March 18, two teens were partially buried by a roof avalanche in Breckenridge, and one was seriously injured. This is a tragic accident, and we want to warn people about being caught in a similar event. While roof avalanches are a problem every year in mountain communities, right now there is a lot of snow in unusual places where people don’t usually think about roof avalanches. We remain concerned about this hazard throughout the week.
When a roof has a thick build-up of snow:
– Always pay attention to snowy roofs above you. Minimize the amount of time you spend below snow-loaded roofs.
– Watch exposed people, and keep a shovel nearby to locate someone.
– Shovel roofs early to reduce the snow load and potential consequences of larger roof avalanches.
