Latest news with #LakeTahoe
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Survivors of Lake Tahoe boating disaster credited for life-saving decision after 'freak storm' killed eight
The two survivors of the deadly Lake Tahoe tragedy that claimed eight lives were wearing life jackets at the time of their rescue. Ten boaters abroad a 27-foot gold Chris-Craft vessel set out the California side of Lake Tahoe last weekend, eager to enjoy a sun-drenched day on the water for a 71st birthday celebration. But the day turned fatal when a sudden, powerful storm erupted over the lake - unleashing eight-foot waves, pounding hail and torrential rain - that struck without warning and ultimately capsized their boat, claiming eight lives. The victims of the disaster were identified as: Paula Bozinovich, 71, Terry Pickles, 73, Joshua Antony Pickles, 37, Peter Bayes, 72, Timothy O'Leary, 71, Theresa Giullari, 66, James Guck, 69 and Stephen Lindsay, 63. However, the two unidentified individuals who survived the tsunami-like storm were revealed to be wearing life jackets when rescued, before being transported to a local hospital, according to a Facebook post from the Washoe County Sheriff's Hasty Team. 'The most common mistake boaters make it not being aware of the forecasted weather,' BM1 Justin Smith, executive petty officer of Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 'Life jackets being worn continue to be the primary survivability factor,' he added. On the morning of June 21st, the conditions outside were perfect for a carefree weekend outing - clear skies, gentle breezes and steadily rising temperatures. Despite a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms - a common occurrence for seasoned boaters - hundreds still took to the water that day. But something shifted around 2pm - some boaters spotted whitecaps forming on the water, while others noticed the wind suddenly picking up, blowing fiercely from the north, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. From that moment, conditions deteriorated rapidly, transforming a calm day into a desperate race against time and nature - as eight-foot waves, 30-knot winds, snow and hail engulfed the lake within just minutes. 'It felt like we were in a tsunami that was starting,' Brittany Glick, who was on a nearby pontoon celebrating a bachelorette party, told NPR. 'I had never experienced anything like that.' 'It happened suddenly. The water was just screaming toward the shore,' Ms Brigantino, who was visiting the lake with friends, told BBC. 'It was bad.' Some vessels broke free from their moorings, while others sank or crashed into nearby piers. Several buoys were also washed ashore, according to the LA Times. Before many could reach shore amid the chaos, several boats capsized - hurling passengers into the raging, churning waters. At around 3pm, multiple people reported seeing a group in the water after their boat met the same fate - all while waves in the area at the time were around eight-feet high, according to a news release from the El Dorado Sheriff's Office. Both the sheriff's office and the Coast Guard swiftly responded to the shores of D.L. Bliss State Park, where they successfully rescued two individuals wearing flotation devices. 'Weather in the Tahoe Basin can be unpredictable and change quickly,' Smith warned boaters while speaking with Fox News. 'Mariners should be hesitant to operate in conditions where wind advisories or small craft advisories have been issued,' he added. A massive search-and-rescue operation involving multiple agencies was quickly launched to locate the remaining boaters, including North Tahoe Fire, California State Parks, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, and the United States Coast Guard. The recovery operations also required advanced divers and specialized teams, including Wilderness Finder Search Dog Teams. Six bodies were recovered on the surface of the water near the capsized boat shortly after the storm, according to the Facebook post. The following day, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office responded to a request from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office to assist in recovering the two remaining victims. An extensive underwater search was conducted by the Washoe County's Search and Rescue Hasty Team, the Specialized Vehicle Unit aboard Marine 10 and the Marine 9 crew, the department wrote. Both the sheriff's office and the Coast Guard swiftly responded to the shores of D.L. Bliss State Park, where they successfully rescued two individuals wearing flotation devices The search employed the team's Outland 1000 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), equipped with multiple cameras, lights, onboard sonar, and an articulating claw - capable of diving to depths of up to 2,000 feet. That afternoon, a seventh victim was found at a depth of over 300 feet. Then, on Monday afternoon, the final missing boater was discovered deceased at a similar depth, bringing the death toll to eight, according to the department. 'The success of the search and recovery operations would not have been nearly as efficient without the assistance of our partner agencies,' the sheriff's office said. Among those who lost their lives was 37-year-old DoorDash executive Josh Pickles, along with his parents - 73-year-old Terry Pickles and 71-year-old Paula Bozinovich, ABC 7 News reported. Pickles' wife had stayed home taking care of their seven-month-old daughter at the time of the disaster, according to Fox News. The group was celebrating his mother's 71st birthday on Lake Tahoe. Two other victims were also from California: Josh Pickles' uncle, 72-year-old Peter Bayes, and 71-year-old Timothy O'Leary. The three remaining victims - 66-year-old Theresa Giullari, 69-year-old James Guck and 63-year-old Stephen Lindsay - were visiting from New York. 'These individuals were part of a closely connected family group enjoying a birthday gathering on the lake,' the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said in a June 24 statement. 'We extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were lost and all those who have been affected by this tragic event.' But even boaters who managed to reach shore during the storm weren't out of danger - many suffered after falling into the frigid water, which remained below 60 degrees throughout the day, LA Times reported. 'There was just a massive amount of people that were in hypothermia or shock,' Joby Cefalu, a lifelong Tahoe boater, told the outlet. 'It was just a tragic day on Lake Tahoe.' Last weekend's tragedy is believed to be the deadliest boating incident in the Golden State since 2019, when a 75-foot boat caught fire and sank near Santa Cruz Island, killing 34 people.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Sole survivors in Lake Tahoe boating disaster had one thing in common
A joyous family celebration turned into a harrowing tragedy over the weekend when a boat capsized during a sudden storm on Lake Tahoe, leaving eight people dead and two others hospitalized. The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the group had gathered for a 71st birthday celebration for Paula Bozinovich. The department identified the deceased as Bozinovich, 71, and her husband, Terry Pickles, 73, both of Redwood City, California; their son, Joshua Antony Pickles, 37, a San Francisco resident and DoorDash executive; and Peter Bayes, 72, of Lincoln, California, a close family relative. Also killed were four family friends: Timothy O'Leary, 71, of Auburn, California; Theresa Giullari, 66, and James Guck, 69, both of Honeoye, New York; and Stephen Lindsay, 63, of Springwater, New York. "These individuals were part of a closely connected family group enjoying a birthday gathering on the lake," the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said in a June 24 statement. "We extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were lost and all those who have been affected by this tragic event." Multiple People Dead, 2 Missing After Boat Capsizes At Vacation Hotspot Read On The Fox News App The party had set out in a 27-foot gold Chris-Craft powerboat near D.L. Bliss State Park on Saturday, June 21, the department said. Initially greeted by clear skies and calm waters, the group's outing took a deadly turn when a powerful storm swept across the lake. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, winds reached 30 knots with swells as high as eight feet. The boat capsized just before 3 p.m., tossing all ten occupants into the frigid waters of Lake Tahoe. Two unidentified individuals survived the accident. Both were wearing life jackets when they were rescued and transported to a local hospital, the department said. "The most common mistake boaters make is not being aware of the forecasted weather," BM1 Justin Smith, executive petty officer of Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Life jackets being worn continue to be the primary survivability factor." Doordash Executive Among Victims In Lake Tahoe Boating Disaster Emergency response teams from multiple jurisdictions, including North Tahoe Fire, California State Parks, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, and the United States Coast Guard, mounted a massive search-and-rescue operation. In the wake of the tragedy, officials reiterated the importance of weather awareness, life jacket use and float plans. "Weather in the Tahoe Basin can be unpredictable and change quickly," warned Smith. "Mariners should be hesitant to operate in conditions where wind advisories or small craft advisories have been issued." Six bodies were recovered on the day of the incident. The remaining two were found in the days that followed, with the final recovery made on Monday afternoon. "The success of the search and recovery operations would not have been nearly as efficient without the assistance of our partner agencies," the sheriff's office said. The recovery operations also required advanced divers and specialized teams such as the Wilderness Finder Search Dog Teams, the department said. In a statement to Fox News Digital, DoorDash mourned the loss of Joshua Pickles, calling him "a cherished colleague and beloved friend whose energy and compassion will be deeply missed." "No words can express the pain and anguish we feel knowing their lives were lost during what was meant to be a joyful time on the lake," Josh Pickles' wife, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, said in the statement Tuesday to the Associated Press. "Our hearts go out to those who tragically lost their lives and the two survivors of this unexpected and deadly storm on Lake Tahoe." Josh Pickles' wife had stayed at home taking care of their seven-month-old daughter, Sam Singer, a family spokesperson, told the outlet. The couple, who married in 2023, both worked at tech companies in San Francisco. Josh worked at DoorDash, and Jordan at Airbnb, Singer article source: Sole survivors in Lake Tahoe boating disaster had one thing in common
Fox News
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Fox News
Sole survivors in Lake Tahoe boating disaster had one thing in common
A joyous family celebration turned into a harrowing tragedy over the weekend when a boat capsized during a sudden storm on Lake Tahoe, leaving eight people dead and two others hospitalized. The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the group had gathered for a 71st birthday celebration for Paula Bozinovich. The department identified the deceased as Bozinovich, 71, and her husband, Terry Pickles, 73, both of Redwood City, California; their son, Joshua Antony Pickles, 37, a San Francisco resident and DoorDash executive; and Peter Bayes, 72, of Lincoln, California, a close family relative. Also killed were four family friends: Timothy O'Leary, 71, of Auburn, California; Theresa Giullari, 66, and James Guck, 69, both of Honeoye, New York; and Stephen Lindsay, 63, of Springwater, New York. "These individuals were part of a closely connected family group enjoying a birthday gathering on the lake," the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said in a June 24 statement. "We extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were lost and all those who have been affected by this tragic event." The party had set out in a 27-foot gold Chris-Craft powerboat near D.L. Bliss State Park on Saturday, June 21, the department said. Initially greeted by clear skies and calm waters, the group's outing took a deadly turn when a powerful storm swept across the lake. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, winds reached 30 knots with swells as high as eight feet. The boat capsized just before 3 p.m., tossing all ten occupants into the frigid waters of Lake Tahoe. Two unidentified individuals survived the accident. Both were wearing life jackets when they were rescued and transported to a local hospital, the department said. "The most common mistake boaters make is not being aware of the forecasted weather," BM1 Justin Smith, executive petty officer of Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Life jackets being worn continue to be the primary survivability factor." Emergency response teams from multiple jurisdictions, including North Tahoe Fire, California State Parks, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, and the United States Coast Guard, mounted a massive search-and-rescue operation. In the wake of the tragedy, officials reiterated the importance of weather awareness, life jacket use and float plans. "Weather in the Tahoe Basin can be unpredictable and change quickly," warned Smith. "Mariners should be hesitant to operate in conditions where wind advisories or small craft advisories have been issued." Six bodies were recovered on the day of the incident. The remaining two were found in the days that followed, with the final recovery made on Monday afternoon. "The success of the search and recovery operations would not have been nearly as efficient without the assistance of our partner agencies," the sheriff's office said. The recovery operations also required advanced divers and specialized teams such as the Wilderness Finder Search Dog Teams, the department said. In a statement to Fox News Digital, DoorDash mourned the loss of Joshua Pickles, calling him "a cherished colleague and beloved friend whose energy and compassion will be deeply missed." "No words can express the pain and anguish we feel knowing their lives were lost during what was meant to be a joyful time on the lake," Josh Pickles' wife, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, said in the statement Tuesday to the Associated Press. "Our hearts go out to those who tragically lost their lives and the two survivors of this unexpected and deadly storm on Lake Tahoe." Josh Pickles' wife had stayed at home taking care of their seven-month-old daughter, Sam Singer, a family spokesperson, told the outlet. The couple, who married in 2023, both worked at tech companies in San Francisco. Josh worked at DoorDash, and Jordan at Airbnb, Singer said.
Washington Post
8 hours ago
- Business
- Washington Post
California court rules state insurance policy on smoke damage is unlawful
A California judge has ruled the state's bare-bones home insurance program's handling of smoke damage claims is unlawful, a decision that could have wide-ranging implications as insurers increasingly deal with the aftermath of wildfires. Home insurance broadly covers fire damage, but there is a growing dispute over what damage must be covered when flames don't torch the property. The decision Tuesday by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stuart M. Rice is a victory for homeowners in a state where the risk of catastrophic wildfires has intensified alongside a brewing home insurance crisis. The specific case involved Jay Aliff, who sued in 2021 over the insurance payout for his house near Lake Tahoe, which was damaged in the November 2020 Mountain View fire. His lawsuit challenged the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, or the FAIR Plan, the state's high-risk insurance pool or the last-resort option for those dropped by private insurance companies. With high premiums and basic coverage, the FAIR Plan was designed as a temporary safety net until policyholders could find a more permanent option. Today, it has become the default option for many, with the number of residential policies reaching 550,000 in March, more than double from 2020, state data shows. Reports from other urban wildfires , in which building materials, appliances, cars and more burn at incredibly high temperatures, show increased levels of heavy metals including lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzene that are tied to negative health risks. But insurance companies haven't standardized testing for those contaminants. The FAIR Plan has been scrutinized for years over allegations of summarily denying smoke damage claims unless there's proof of permanent physical change, even though the California Department of Insurance has long determined that that threshold is illegal. Aliff's lawsuit claims that FAIR Plan at the time offered a fraction of the money he expected to cover the costs to remediate the damages, citing a partial denial letter that said the fire debris could be cleaned up –- and therefore didn't qualify for coverage as a 'direct physical loss' to the home. 'The things that burn are terrifying like lead, cyanide. It's not possible to get that out with Swiffer,' said Aliff's attorney, Dylan Schaffer, referring to the brand of disposable mops. Schaffer, who is also the attorney in a number of other lawsuits against the FAIR Plan related to the smoke damage issue, said the new court ruling was a game-changer in California insurance law at a time when thousands of homeowners in the recent Palisades and Eaton wildfires are still fighting for coverage. 'It is the most important decision in California insurance law in decades,' Schaffer said. 'It draws a line in the sand as it relates to where carriers can start carving out their liability and avoiding liability.' The ruling said the way the FAIR Plan limits smoke damage coverage to its definition of 'direct physical loss' was a violation of the law, stating that 'this language limits coverage reasonably expected by an insured in a manner which is not conspicuous, plain and clear.' The judge also said it was unlawful that the FAIR Plan required smoke damage to be 'visible to the unaided human eye' or capable of being 'detected by the unaided human nose of an average person' rather than 'the subjective senses of (the insured) or by laboratory testing.' 'Being unable to resort to their own senses or laboratory tests, it is entirely unclear how an insured could determine whether a particular loss is covered or not,' the court decision noted. FAIR Plan spokeswoman Hilary McLean said in a statement that the insurer has been working with the state insurance agency to update its policy language and has already eliminated the so-called sight and smell test. 'Our goal is to continue providing fair and reasonable coverage for wildfire-related losses while maintaining the financial integrity of the FAIR Plan for all policyholders,' McLean said in a statement.
Associated Press
9 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
California court rules state insurance policy on smoke damage is unlawful
A California judge has ruled the state's bare-bones home insurance program's handling of smoke damage claims is unlawful, a decision that could have wide-ranging implications as insurers increasingly deal with the aftermath of wildfires. Home insurance broadly covers fire damage, but there is a growing dispute over what damage must be covered when flames don't torch the property. The decision Tuesday by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stuart M. Rice is a victory for homeowners in a state where the risk of catastrophic wildfires has intensified alongside a brewing home insurance crisis. The specific case involved Jay Aliff, who sued in 2021 over the insurance payout for his house near Lake Tahoe, which was damaged in the November 2020 Mountain View fire. His lawsuit challenged the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, or the FAIR Plan, the state's high-risk insurance pool or the last-resort option for those dropped by private insurance companies. With high premiums and basic coverage, the FAIR Plan was designed as a temporary safety net until policyholders could find a more permanent option. Today, it has become the default option for many, with the number of residential policies reaching 550,000 in March, more than double from 2020, state data shows. Reports from other urban wildfires, in which building materials, appliances, cars and more burn at incredibly high temperatures, show increased levels of heavy metals including lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzene that are tied to negative health risks. But insurance companies haven't standardized testing for those contaminants. The FAIR Plan has been scrutinized for years over allegations of summarily denying smoke damage claims unless there's proof of permanent physical change, even though the California Department of Insurance has long determined that that threshold is illegal. Aliff's lawsuit claims that FAIR Plan at the time offered a fraction of the money he expected to cover the costs to remediate the damages, citing a partial denial letter that said the fire debris could be cleaned up –- and therefore didn't qualify for coverage as a 'direct physical loss' to the home. 'The things that burn are terrifying like lead, cyanide. It's not possible to get that out with Swiffer,' said Aliff's attorney, Dylan Schaffer, referring to the brand of disposable mops. Schaffer, who is also the attorney in a number of other lawsuits against the FAIR Plan related to the smoke damage issue, said the new court ruling was a game-changer in California insurance law at a time when thousands of homeowners in the recent Palisades and Eaton wildfires are still fighting for coverage. 'It is the most important decision in California insurance law in decades,' Schaffer said. 'It draws a line in the sand as it relates to where carriers can start carving out their liability and avoiding liability.' The ruling said the way the FAIR Plan limits smoke damage coverage to its definition of 'direct physical loss' was a violation of the law, stating that 'this language limits coverage reasonably expected by an insured in a manner which is not conspicuous, plain and clear.' The judge also said it was unlawful that the FAIR Plan required smoke damage to be 'visible to the unaided human eye' or capable of being 'detected by the unaided human nose of an average person' rather than 'the subjective senses of (the insured) or by laboratory testing.' 'Being unable to resort to their own senses or laboratory tests, it is entirely unclear how an insured could determine whether a particular loss is covered or not,' the court decision noted. FAIR Plan spokeswoman Hilary McLean said in a statement that the insurer has been working with the state insurance agency to update its policy language and has already eliminated the so-called sight and smell test. 'Our goal is to continue providing fair and reasonable coverage for wildfire-related losses while maintaining the financial integrity of the FAIR Plan for all policyholders,' McLean said in a statement.
