Avalanche — Central Gulf Coast, Alaska

1999-04-15 · Central Gulf Coast, Alaska

Event narrative

A backhoe and its operator, working on a construction project for the new Cordova Electric Cooperative hydroelectric plant, were caught up in an avalanche about noon on Thursday. Snow broke loose from a steep canyon wall west of Ohmar Falls, tumbled down a 2,000 foot slope, toppling the backhoe and burying it in snow. The location of the avalanche was about 7 miles northeast of Cordova near Ohmar Falls.The cab was quickly dug out, but the body of the backhoe operator, Gary Stone, 46, was not found until Saturday. The body was found pinned between the backhoe and logs that had been used as a temporary bridge at the hydroelectric project construction site.Heavy rains had fallen on the snow during the prior 24 hours on Wednesday.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5689785. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.