Students Trapped at North Cascades Environment Learning Center

What began as a day trip for students of the Everett School District to the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center turned into at least a four-day weekend after an avalanche on Highway 20 near Diablo closed the roadway Friday. Travis Phelps with WSDOT says conditions made it impossible to clear the roads over the weekend.

"[Monday] morning our avalanche crews let us know that the snow had stabilized enough for us to start work in clearing the slide. We already proactively had a snowblower as well as excavator up at the site so we were able to start work around 8:00."

One lane was opened around 12:30. Phelps says Highway 20 is only open to emergency vehicles in the area for now, but they hope to start work on clear the second lane later this week.

"We're working really closely with the Everett School District. They are working to get buses up there and get the students that were trapped up there for the weekend back home and reunited with their families."

Phelps also noted that the road is closed at least once or twice a year for these avalanches.