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Avalanche Buries 3 Cars On Highway 91

FRISCO, Colo. (CBS4)- Both directions of Interstate 70 were closed for a few hours on Thursday afternoon from mile marker 195 and Exit 201, Frisco, because of safety concerns after another avalanche on Highway 91. There were three vehicles buried in the slide.

avalanche
(credit: Summit County)
highway 91 avalanche
Drone4 flew over the avalanche that buried three cars on Highway 91 (credit: CBS)

The slide happened on Colorado Highway 91 just after 4 p.m. One car was flipped over and the driver rescued.

Fremont Pass Avy 3 (CSP Dist4 tweet) copy
(credit: Colorado State Patrol)

Everyone in the vehicles buried in the slide was accounted for after search and rescue crews combed the area.

Fremont Pass Avy 4 (CDOT tweet) copy
(credit: CDOT)

The avalanche on Highway 91 was a natural slide. It covered the road with 15 feet of snow and debris. The field is 300 yards wide.

avalanche car
(credit: Summit County)

CDOT said that travel in the mountains is discouraged and that anyone who needs to travel

Fremont Pass Avy 6 (CDOT tweet) copy
(credit: CDOT)

CDOT estimated that Highway 91 would reopen around 10 p.m. Thursday. All lanes of I-70 reopened at 7 p.m. Thursday. U.S. 6 over Loveland Pass will remain closed overnight due to adverse conditions.

Fremont Pass Avy 5 (CDOT tweet) copy
(credit: CDOT)

This was the latest in a series of avalanches, both natural and human-set, that created another hectic day along the Interstate 70 corridor through Colorado's high country. Vail Pass was closed on Thursday for several hours as crews cleared 15 feet of snow that came down and covered lanes of traffic.

CDOT also said that with another wave of adverse weather expected on Friday to anticipate avalanche mitigation in the morning and the potential for road closures. Experts also urged drivers to be prepared with an emergency kit and adequate tire traction.

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