WA - Two dead, up to 8 missing, in avalanche NE of Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) -- Authorities say two people are reported dead and as many as eight more are missing after an avalanche near a Washington state ski resort.

King County sheriff's Sgt. Cindi West says her office began receiving word about the avalanche near Stevens Pass, in the Cascade Mountains northeast of Seattle, just after noon Sunday.

West says rescue crews are in route.
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It's been a deadly winter in Washington's mountains. Four people disappeared in vicious storms while camping and climbing on Mount Rainier last month. The four remain missing, and authorities have said they're hoping to find their bodies when the snow melts this summer.

Across the West, there had been 13 avalanche deaths this season as of Feb. 16, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, which tracks avalanche deaths in the U.S.

Experts have said the risk of additional slides could remain high all season. They attribute the dangers in part to a weak base layer of snow caused by a dry winter.

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wfgodot said:

3 dead in Washington avalanche (AP/L.A. Times)

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• Three men including former pro-skier died at resort near Seattle
• Snowboarder plunged off cliff and died in separate accident
• Female skier credits 'airbag' safety device as saving her life

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