At least three people were killed in an avalanche in the Cascade Mountains northeast of Seattle, Wash., Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012. (CBS)
Last Updated 6:41 p.m. ET
SEATTLE – The King County Sheriff’s Office said it has reports of at least three people dead and up to 8 missing in an avalanche in the Cascade Mountains northeast of Seattle.
King County Sheriff’s Sgt. Cindi West said her office began receiving word about the avalanche near Stevens Pass just after noon Sunday.
John Gifford, the general manager of Stevens Pass, told CBS Affiliate KIRO that a group of five people were skiing in the back country, out of bounds.
A search and rescue is currently going on at Milepost 61, near Tunnel Creek, which is 13.2 miles east of Skykomish on Highway 2.
The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center on Sunday issued a warning for high avalanche danger for areas above 5,000 feet.
The elevation of the avalanche wasn’t immediately clear.
In a separate incident, West said, a snowboarder has been killed at the Alpental ski area east of Seattle. The snowboarder went over a cliff.
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