A four-star hotel in Italy was recently hit by an avalanche stranding tourists and staff inside.

Hotel Rigopiano, a four-star hotel located at the base of the Gran Sasso mountain, was buried in snow after a series of earthquakes struck the surrounding area and triggered an avalanche. Guests and their families were trapped inside the hotel for two terrifying days and nights before rescuers arrived. Rescue teams drilled a hole through the ceiling of the building to pull survivors out from underneath the snow covered resort. Ten civilians were pulled from the wreckage. Five have been safely taken from the mountain and five remain waiting to be removed from the carnage. Two people have been confirmed dead. CNN described the scene as an emotional one: “Angels! Angels!”, survivors called out when the rescuers first broke through. In a highly emotional scene, crews pulled survivors from the avalanche site. They burst into cheers, yelling “Bravo!” as a young boy was lifted from a deep hole in the snow. (http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/20/europe/italy-avalanche-earthquake/index.html).

Not only were the people inside the Rigopiano affected by the extreme weather but up to as many as 90,000 no longer have working electricity. Many slept in shelters overnight in fear of additional avalanches.When the Avalanche hit the hotel, it removed its foundation and pushed it 33 feet downhill, scattering debris up to 300 feet away. According to the Natural Hazards Organization, an avalanche can occur due to temperature, slope angle, vibration, snow pack conditions, etc…

There are three main types of avalanches:

Powder avalanche
Often start from a single point and accumulates snow as it moves down the slope, forming a snowball effect. This type is most common following a heavy snowfall of one inch per hour or more and is often on a smooth surface, typically occurring after rain or frost. Without the cohesion with the snow layer underneath, the snow is too heavy to settle. This type of avalanche can travel between 62 and 186 miles per hour.
Slab avalanche
Most common type of winter avalanche due to the build up fresh snow. A slab is a compact snow surface layer that can detach from a weaker snow layer underneath. The slab slips forward as a whole block or breaks into pieces.
Wet avalanche
Often occurs after a warm spell or during the spring thaw. Snow becomes heavier as it begins to turn into water. These occur frequently and are generally small and easier to foresee than the other types (Natural Hazards Organization).

If you find yourself caught in an avalanche while it is moving, attempt to get off the slab, swim, and roll to try to escape the slide. If you happen to be wearing a pack, leave it on; it will provide padding to your back and kidneys. If you survive the avalanche, your pack might contain much-needed tools for survival. It also makes you a larger object possibly keeping you closer to the top.

Rescue crews are still working around the clock to locate and rescue more survivors, and with each one found, a new energy revives the rescuers’ determination, despite the treacherous conditions.

Skier survives avalanche with airbag pack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR7aAfuAOOQ