Snowplow sits idle on snowy road with bright lights illuminating dark sky and half‑buried car in drift.

Duryea Avalanche Incident

Incident Overview

The incident involved a large snow slide, also known as an avalanche, that blocked both lanes of Coxton Road in the city of Duryea. The blockage made the road impassable for all vehicles. No vehicles were damaged in the avalanche.

Avalanche Details

The avalanche was reported by Duryea Fire and Police at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 25. They posted a warning on their Facebook page, urging motorists to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary. The avalanche blocked both lanes of Coxton Road, preventing any traffic from moving in either direction.

The blockage prevented all vehicles from proceeding along the roadway. The avalanche was a large snow slide, also known as an avalanche, that blocked both lanes of Coxton Road. The blockage made the road impassable for all vehicles.

Duryea Fire and Police responded to the scene within minutes of the Facebook post. They assessed the blockage and communicated with motorists via social media. They posted a warning on their Facebook page, urging motorists to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary.

P DOT dispatched a crew in the afternoon of Jan. 25. The crew began clearing the snow slide soon after arrival. They worked to remove the blockage and restore traffic flow.

The crew cleared the road, making it passable, but the width remained narrow due to snow drifts. Officials confirmed the road was safe for vehicles to use on Jan. 26. They emphasized caution due to remaining narrowness.

The crew continued to monitor the road for any remaining hazards. The road was deemed safe for vehicles to use by the authorities. The official confirmation was issued on Jan. 26.

Response and Clearance

P DOT dispatched a crew in the afternoon of Jan. 25. The crew began clearing the snow slide soon after arrival. They worked to remove the blockage and restore traffic flow.

They cleared the road, making it passable, but the width remained narrow due to snow drifts. Officials confirmed the road was safe for vehicles to use on Jan. 26. They emphasized caution due to remaining narrowness.

Avalanche blocking Coxton Road with snow-covered lanes and a warning sign and emergency trucks parked in background.

The crew continued to monitor the road for any remaining hazards. The road was deemed safe for vehicles to use by the authorities. The official confirmation was issued on Jan. 26.

Safety Warning

The P DOT warning reminded residents of the number of crashes, fatalities, and injuries from last winter’s snowy conditions. The warning cited that eleven of the people who died were not wearing a seat belt. The warning also noted that seventeen of the fatalities were in crashes where a driver was going too fast for conditions and drove out of their lane.

The warning emphasized seat belt use and speed control on winter roads. The warning included specific statistics: 8,329 crashes, 29 fatalities, and 2,959 injuries. The warning was released by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Storm Impact

Winter Storm Fern brought dangerously cold temperatures, snow, and ice to large swaths of the U.S. At the time of publication, at least 30 deaths in the U.S. had been attributed to the storm. Hundreds of thousands remain without power due to the storm’s impact on the grid.

The Associated Press reported on the widespread outages and ongoing recovery efforts. The storm’s severity was reflected in the number of crashes and injuries reported across the country. Local agencies documented the incident through real-time updates and official statements.

Analysis

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Key Takeaways

  • The avalanche was a rare event for Pennsylvania.
  • Snow accumulation was heavy during the storm.
  • Duryea Fire and Police and P DOT coordinated to ensure safety.
  • P DOT warning included specific statistics.
  • Winter Storm Fern had widespread impact.

Crash Statistics (Last Winter)

Crashes Fatalities Injuries
8,329 29 2,959

These statistics reflect the impact of winter road conditions from last winter.

Timeline of Events

Date Time Event
Jan. 25 2:30 p.m. Avalanche reported
Jan. 25 Afternoon P DOT dispatched crew
Jan. 26 Morning Road cleared and reopened

The timeline shows the sequence from the avalanche report to the road reopening.

Author

  • My name is Daniel J. Whitman, and I’m a Los Angeles–based journalist specializing in weather, climate, and environmental news.

    Daniel J. Whitman reports on transportation, infrastructure, and urban development for News of Los Angeles. A former Daily Bruin reporter, he’s known for investigative stories that explain how transit and housing decisions shape daily life across LA neighborhoods.

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