KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, Sports2 dead, up to 8 missing in Washington avalanche

SEATTLE (AP) — Authorities say two people are reported dead and as many as eight more are missing after an avalanche near a Washington state ski resort.

King County sheriff's Sgt. Cindi West says her office began receiving word about the avalanche near the Stevens Pass ski area just after noon Sunday. Stevens Pass in the Cascade Mountains northeast of Seattle.

West says the deaths occurred in an out-of-bounds area near the resort. She says rescue crews are en route.

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.

Meanwhile, West also says a snowboarder has been killed in a separate incident at the Alpental ski area east of Seattle. The snowboarder went over a cliff Sunday.