Avalanche Engulfs and Severely Damages 2 Houses in Ketchum, ID

An avalanche severely damaged two homes in Ketchum, ID yesterday afternoon. Witnesses say it happened around 1:00 pm at Warm Springs and Whipsaw Lane.

What started out gently quickly picked up momentum and took out a huge stretch of evergreen trees and engulfed the unoccupied houses.

“Only the two houses in the path stopped the avalanche but the homes are pushed off their foundations and tipped over like toy buildings,” a witness said.

Then later the same day, a second slide occurred on Warm Springs Rd at approximately 6:45 pm. No houses, vehicles, or injuries were involved this time.

Blaine County remains under a countywide avalanche warning. If you are in an avalanche-prone area please maintain situational awareness, and if you feel you are in danger do not wait for an evacuation order.

Officials closed Warm Springs Road to non-residents at Penny Lake, and all non-residents are being asked to stay out of the Warm Springs area.