Storms in the east of the country have killed at least five people, including an 81-year-old woman who died when her mobile home was tossed from its foundation.
Rescue teams are searching a California ski resort near Lake Tahoe following an avalanche — as a major storm with snow and gusty winds moved into the region.
It comes after a series of powerful winter storms swept through parts of the eastern US and Canada, claiming the lives of at least five people and leaving more than half a million people without power.
The avalanche in California took place around 9.30am at Palisades Tahoe, according to the resort.
The mountain was closed for the day, with weather experts recording 110mph (177kph) gusts on Tuesday afternoon at the summit of Alpine Meadows, the neighbouring sister resort of Palisades.
Sergeant David Smith, a spokesperson for the Placer County sheriff, told The Associated Press there were «no confirmed reports» of people trapped in the avalanche, but search teams were assessing the area.
It comes as a storm sweeps across the country towards the west coast of the US, following a series of strong winter storms in the east of the country.
Near Cottonwood, Alabama, a small city near the Georgia and Florida borders, an 81-year-old woman was killed when her mobile home was tossed from its foundation, the Houston County coroner said.
A suspected tornado had touched down in the area.
