A calm day turned fatal at Lake Tahoe as a sudden storm caused boats to capsize, resulting in eight deaths. Witnesses described harrowing scenes as winds reached 35 mph, with swift changes in weather catching many by surprise.
Sudden Storm Claims Eight Lives in Lake Tahoe Tragedy

Sudden Storm Claims Eight Lives in Lake Tahoe Tragedy
An unexpected squall at Lake Tahoe resulted in the capsizing of multiple boats, leading to a tragic loss of life over the weekend.
The skies were clear and inviting over Lake Tahoe when Gloria Brigantino and her friends settled in for a relaxing day, anchoring their boat to enjoy some rum cocktails. As the temperatures dipped and winds began to swell, the cheerful atmosphere shifted dramatically. Within moments, a fierce storm descended upon the area, turning tranquil waters into a violent sea with waves reaching heights of 8 feet (2.5 meters).
Pandemonium erupted as multiple vessels capsized, including a 27-foot tourist boat that held ten passengers. Tragically, the death toll increased to eight individuals after authorities discovered two more bodies on Monday. Brigantino, who was among the terrified onlookers, recounted how boats collided, became untethered, and were hurled ashore by the gale-force winds, which approached 35 mph (56 km/h) and even brought a brief snowfall.
From the safety of land, she witnessed her boat turn over, losing belongings in the process. “The water was just screaming toward the shore,” she said, recalling the chaos. Many boat owners were left devastated, crying as their vessels were damaged or lost. The frantic scene included volunteers risking their own safety to assist with evacuating passengers from the floundering boats.
The storm's onset was swift and unexpected, striking the holiday crowd enjoying what should have been a relaxing summer weekend. Onlookers could hardly believe the intensity of the squall, which left lasting impressions on long-time locals like Brigantino. “I’ve never seen a storm like that here in decades, if at all,” she lamented, emphasizing Lake Tahoe's typically serene conditions.
Authorities confirmed that while warnings of adverse weather existed, no one anticipated such a rapid and violent transformation. The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office is still working to identify the victims, ensuring respectful notifications are made to their families.
Despite the immediate turmoil, the storm passed nearly as quickly as it arrived. By late afternoon, the sun re-emerged, and the picturesque blue waters of Lake Tahoe returned, masking the horrific events that transpired just hours before.
Pandemonium erupted as multiple vessels capsized, including a 27-foot tourist boat that held ten passengers. Tragically, the death toll increased to eight individuals after authorities discovered two more bodies on Monday. Brigantino, who was among the terrified onlookers, recounted how boats collided, became untethered, and were hurled ashore by the gale-force winds, which approached 35 mph (56 km/h) and even brought a brief snowfall.
From the safety of land, she witnessed her boat turn over, losing belongings in the process. “The water was just screaming toward the shore,” she said, recalling the chaos. Many boat owners were left devastated, crying as their vessels were damaged or lost. The frantic scene included volunteers risking their own safety to assist with evacuating passengers from the floundering boats.
The storm's onset was swift and unexpected, striking the holiday crowd enjoying what should have been a relaxing summer weekend. Onlookers could hardly believe the intensity of the squall, which left lasting impressions on long-time locals like Brigantino. “I’ve never seen a storm like that here in decades, if at all,” she lamented, emphasizing Lake Tahoe's typically serene conditions.
Authorities confirmed that while warnings of adverse weather existed, no one anticipated such a rapid and violent transformation. The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office is still working to identify the victims, ensuring respectful notifications are made to their families.
Despite the immediate turmoil, the storm passed nearly as quickly as it arrived. By late afternoon, the sun re-emerged, and the picturesque blue waters of Lake Tahoe returned, masking the horrific events that transpired just hours before.