Austria: Avalanche hits hotel in Liezen overnight January 14-15

Event

An avalanche hit a hotel in Ramsau am Dachstein (Liezen district, Styria state) at approximately 01:00 (local time) on Tuesday, December 15. No casualties were reported in the incident. According to local affiliates of the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS), Level 4 (the second-highest level on a five-tier scale) avalanche and heavy snow warnings are in effect in several mountainous regions of Austria as of January 15. The areas affected by the warnings include the states of Lower Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Upper Austria, and Vorarlberg. Consequent transportation disruptions are possible in the affected areas in the coming days.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports and updates from the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS), confirm travel reservations, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation or shelter-in-place orders).