Video: Powerful storm brings avalanche danger

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STEVENS PASS, Wash. - All three major east-west routes over the Cascades shut down Wednesday due to extreme avalanche risk.

They include I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass, Highway 2 at Stevens Pass and Highway 12 at White Pass.

The Department of Transportation closed Stevens Pass Tuesday after two avalanches occurred - a large one west of the summit and another near Leavenworth. Skiers and snowboarders were evacuated from the ski area after road crews punched one lane westbound through the snow.

The slide near the summit was initially reported to be 12 feet deep. As far as troopers can tell, no cars were buried.

The Washington state Department of Transportation says the passes will remain closed at least until today.

Interstate 90 was closed between North Bend and Ellensburg because of unstable snow, washouts and flooding.

An avalanche also shut down the Mount Baker Highway at milepost 40, east of Glacier. The highway was expected to re-open sometime Wednesday.

The DOT says a number of other highways across Washington are closed by high water.

More snow trouble in Spokane

Snow on roof tops a major concern in Spokane through Wednesday.

Snow loading on flat roofs and low sloped roofs could become a serious problem as rain is predicted in the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene areas.

The heaviest rains are expected into Thursday morning. By Thursday afternoon, total rain amounts of an inch and a half are expected in Spokane. Amounts exceeding 2 inches are possible in the Coeur d'Alene and Pullman areas.