Lake Tahoe witnessed a tragic and chaotic day on Saturday, June 21, 2025, when a 27-foot gold Chris-Craft boat capsized near D.L. Bliss State Park amid sudden, violent weather changes that left six people dead, two hospitalized, and two still missing. The incident unfolded around 3 p.m., catching many off guard as a storm system rapidly moved through the area, transforming the usually serene lake into a dangerous battleground of 8 to 10-foot waves and 30-knot winds.
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), California State Parks, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, and other emergency agencies responded swiftly to multiple distress calls reporting the capsized vessel and individuals struggling in the water. Approximately ten people were on board the vessel when it overturned just off Rubicon Point, close to D.L. Bliss State Park, which lies about 10 miles northwest of South Lake Tahoe and near the famed Emerald Bay.
According to the USCG, the capsizing was caused by a large swell generated by the storm’s sudden arrival. CBS Sacramento's First Alert Weather team recorded wind speeds of 40 to 45 mph in the area, and ALERTCalifornia noted how blue skies gave way to a brief but intense storm that even dropped snow before clearing again within the hour. The National Weather Service reported that the lake’s temperature plummeted from 52 degrees to 38 degrees Fahrenheit in mere minutes, a chilling factor that added to the peril for those stranded in the water.
Witnesses described how the wind abruptly shifted from the north, creating massive troughs that tossed boats around like toys. Veteran boat captain Joby Cefalu, who has spent decades on Lake Tahoe, said the conditions were "worse than 30-foot waves on the sea," emphasizing how rare such summer weather is in the region. Cefalu, along with staff at the Tahoe Keys Marina, worked tirelessly to set up triage for hypothermia victims and help those who had been rescued.
Amid the chaos, a seasonal lifeguard and a park ranger spotted the struggling boaters and managed to pull two survivors onto nearby rocks, where they performed CPR. The Coast Guard arrived shortly after and rescued another person along with the lifeguard from the water, transporting them to Lester Beach. Tragically, that individual was pronounced dead after EMS arrived. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that six adults have died, two were hospitalized, and two remain missing as of Saturday night.
Search and rescue efforts were extensive and ongoing. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Search and Rescue units, K9 teams, North Tahoe Fire Protection District, and the U.S. Coast Guard coordinated a large-scale search operation covering over 390 square miles of the lake. A Coast Guard airplane performed grid-like search patterns, while an EDSO helicopter circled the area, all in hopes of locating the missing individuals. However, the search was suspended at 10:55 a.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2025, with plans to resume later that day.
Local reports and videos captured the storm's sudden fury and aftermath. Sacramento-based rapper Conor Bugbee, who was at Camp Richardson Resort during the storm, described how gale-force winds and choppy waves caused boats to break loose and collide on the beach, leading to noticeable damage and a tense atmosphere. He and others helped several people off a boat that had careened onto the sand, underscoring the community’s quick response amid the disaster.
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the identities of the deceased and missing will not be released until next-of-kin notifications have been completed, respecting the privacy and grief of the families involved. The Sheriff’s Office also emphasized the rarity and severity of the weather event, calling it "a very, very tragic day on Lake Tahoe."
In the lead-up to this tragedy, officials had already been responding to another water rescue about seven miles north of Rubicon Point as the storm system rolled in, highlighting the rapidly deteriorating conditions across the lake. The sudden onset of strong north winds and large swells caught many boaters by surprise, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of mountain lake weather, even in summer.
Efforts to assist hypothermia victims and those rescued were coordinated at Tahoe Keys Marina, where staff worked tirelessly to provide emergency care. The lake’s hypothermic conditions year-round add a deadly element to such incidents, as one witness noted, "You could have a life vest on and still no make it," referring to the difficulty of surviving in the icy waters amid towering waves that obscure visibility.
As rescue teams prepared to continue their search on Sunday, the community remained in shock over the sudden and devastating loss of life. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of nature’s power and the importance of vigilance and preparedness when venturing onto unpredictable waters.
Authorities and emergency responders continue to coordinate closely, with California State Parks rangers and local law enforcement supporting ongoing search and recovery efforts. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and Search and Rescue units are at the forefront, determined to bring closure to this tragic event.
The storm that swept through Lake Tahoe on June 21, 2025, left a lasting mark on the region, disrupting the usual summer calm with fierce winds, towering waves, and even a brief snowfall. For those on the lake that day, it turned a routine outing into a life-threatening emergency, with heartbreaking consequences.
