Avalanche

Skip to main content

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Disasters and Emergencies
  • All Hazards
  • Emergency Alerts
  • Attacks in Public Places
  • Avalanche
  • Biohazard Exposure
  • Cybersecurity
  • Drought
  • Earthquakes
  • Explosions
  • Extreme Heat
  • Floods
  • Chemicals and Hazardous Materials Incidents
  • Home Fires
  • Home Safety
  • Household Chemical Emergencies
  • Hurricanes
  • Landslides & Debris Flow
  • Radiation Emergencies
  • Pandemic
  • Power Outages
  • Severe Weather
  • Space Weather
  • Thunderstorms & Lightning
  • Tornadoes
  • Tsunamis
  • Volcanoes
  • Wildfires
  • Winter Weather
  • Recovering from Disaster
• Make a Plan
• Ready Business
• Ready Kids
• Resources

Avalanche

• العربية
• English
• Español
• Français
• Kreyòl
• 日本語
• 한국어
• Русский
• Tagalog
• Tiếng Việt
• 简体中文

Protect Yourself

During an Avalanche

After an Avalanche

Additional Resources

If you are a disaster survivor, please visit FEMA.gov for up-to-date information on current disaster declarations. If you have questions about your disaster assistance application, visit disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call (800) 621-3362.

An avalanche is a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. When an avalanche stops, the snow becomes solid like concrete and people are unable to dig out. People caught in avalanches can die from suffocation, trauma or hypothermia.

Avalanches can:

Be caused by people, new snow and wind.

Move at speeds of 60 to 80 MPH.

Peak during the period of December through March.

How to Protect Yourself from an Avalanche

The most important actions you can take to survive an avalanche are done before it happens.

Know Your Avalanche RiskLearn about your local avalanche risk. Know the signs of increased danger, including recent avalanches and shooting cracks across slopes. Avoid areas of increased risk, such as slopes steeper than 30 degrees or areas under steep slopes. Get training on how to recognize hazardous conditions and avalanche-prone locations. Sign up for alerts from a U.S. Forest Service Avalanche Center near you. Your community may also have a local warning system.

Preparing for AvalancheGet proper equipment to protect yourself from head injuries and create air pockets. Receive first aid training so you can recognize and treat suffocation, hypothermia, traumatic injury and shock. Wear a helmet to help reduce head injuries and create air pockets. Wear an avalanche beacon to help rescuers locate you. Use an avalanche airbag that may help you from being completely buried. Carry a collapsible avalanche probe and a small shovel to help rescue others.

Signs of AvalancheLearn the signs of an avalanche, and how to use safety and rescue equipment.

Follow avalanche warnings on roads. Roads may be closed, or vehicles may be advised not to stop on the roadside.

Stay Safe During an Avalanche

Image

• Use and carry safety equipment and rescue gear.
• If your partner or others are buried, call 9-1-1 and then begin to search if it is safe to do so.
• If you have the proper training, treat others for suffocation, hypothermia, traumatic injury or shock.

Returning After an Avalanche

Know the signs and ways to treat hypothermia.

• Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A body temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency.
  • Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness.
  • Actions: Go to a warm room or shelter. Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head and groin. Keep the person dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.
• Engage virtually with your community through video and phone calls. Know that it’s normal to feel anxious or stressed. Take care of your body and talk to someone if you are feeling upset.

Additional Resources

• Avalanche Information Sheet (PDF)
• The National Avalanche Center

Last Updated: 07/10/2025

Return to top