Officials say a huge avalanche in the western U.S. state of Colorado has buried at least two cars on a busy mountain highway and may have sent others tumbling over the edge of the road.
The avalanche took place on Berthoud Pass, 3,400 meters high, about 100 kilometers west of Denver.
Reports say there are at least seven survivors and one person has been taken to a hospital. Officials say parts of the highway, U.S. Route 40, are closed while they attempt to rescue other people who were caught in the avalanche.
Some officials say this is the largest Colorado avalanche they have ever seen.
The avalanche comes during Colorado's third huge snowstorm in as many weeks. Forecasters say as much as 20 centimeters of snow are expected to fall on the city of Denver Saturday. The new storm is carrying winds of up to 50 kilometers an hour.
The high winds are expected to hamper efforts by the National Guard to air drop hay bales to feed cattle that have been stranded on snow-packed pastures. The animals could die of starvation or dehydration if they are not fed.
Colorado has still not recovered from two snowstorms last month. The first one stranded thousands of passengers traveling in and out of Denver's airport, just days before the Christmas holiday.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
