Help arrives for residents of snow-filled San Bernardino Mountains

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·6 min read
San Bernardino County Officials and Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe, center, whose third district oversees the mountain communities, surveyed the damage to Goodwin's Market in Crestline after the building’s roof collapsed.
San Bernardino County Officials and Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe, center, whose third district oversees the mountain communities, surveyed the damage to Goodwin's Market in Crestline after the building’s roof collapsed.

The sound of helicopters echoed in the air as state and local officials surveyed the San Bernardino Mountains to assist communities impacted by the recent winter storms.

California National Guard Blackhawk helicopters, launched Thursday from Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, flew over the areas as they assessed where to drop food and other critical supplies.

Meanwhile, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Aviation team took to the sky to conduct an assessment of current mountain conditions after nearly a week of heavy snowfall that began on Feb. 22.

County firefighters and sheriff’s deputies loaded Ready-to-Eat meals onto the sheriff’s helicopters and delivered to the communities.

Helping stranded residents

During a San Bernardino County Storm Response press conference on Wednesday Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe, whose third district oversees the mountain communities, said officials know there are stranded residents, and it is a “No. 1 priority.”

Rowe said plowing the roads continues around the clock, and the county has requested additional assets from state partners and other outside sources so residents can get food, medicine, and needed access.

Personnel from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's and SBC Fire departments load food onto a sheriff's helicopter, which will be delivered to mountain residents.
Personnel from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's and SBC Fire departments load food onto a sheriff's helicopter, which will be delivered to mountain residents.

Rowe and fire Chief Dan Munsey also surveyed the damage to Goodwin's Market after the building’s roof collapsed

“We are working with the owners to rebuild as quickly as possible,” Rowe posted on Twitter. “The Unified Command is working on a location to stage food and supplies for residents as quickly as possible.”

Residents are dealing with as much as 7 feet of snow, and sheriffs’ authorities have conducted 17 rescue operations to help off-roaders and skiers. Emergency crews are trying to reach residents who need assistance.

State of emergency

County officials on Monday declared a local emergency after mountain residents found themselves trapped at home or unable to reach home due to several feet of snow that fell over the weekend.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday proclaimed a state of emergency to support and fund disaster response and relief in San Bernardino County and a dozen other counties.

Additional areas include Amador, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Sonoma and Tulare.

Newsom also activated the State Operations Center to bring higher-level support to county-led emergency response efforts and coordinate mutual aid from neighboring jurisdictions, especially in San Bernardino County.

Nearly 260 Cal Fire employees worked alongside San Bernardino County Fire and other agencies in the ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of excessive snowfall in the local mountains.
Nearly 260 Cal Fire employees worked alongside San Bernardino County Fire and other agencies in the ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of excessive snowfall in the local mountains.

Significant numbers of state personnel are on the ground supporting San Bernardino County, including Newsom's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol.

Cal OES is working with Caltrans and SBC officials to bring in additional snow plows as well as road crews, and personnel from CAL FIRE and the CNG are ready to support operations.

The state is also contracting with private companies to accelerate snow removal and clear roadways and is coordinating with investor-owned utilities to rapidly restore power.

Cal OES is coordinating with local officials to open two shelters for residents in San Bernardino County and is coordinating with law enforcement to escort power companies, food and water deliveries and service providers for vulnerable populations.

A California Nation Guard Blackhawk helicopter prepared to support San Bernardino County and state agencies to assist communities impacted by recent winter storms in the local mountains.
A California Nation Guard Blackhawk helicopter prepared to support San Bernardino County and state agencies to assist communities impacted by recent winter storms in the local mountains.

Cal Fire responds

Through Cal OES, Cal Fire has been called to assist SBC with the recent winter storms by committing six hand crew strike teams, three task force strike teams and eight overhead personnel.

A total of 255 Cal Fire employees are working alongside SBC Fire and other agencies in the ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of excessive snowfall.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmates under Cal Fire were among the personnel that traveled from San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Fresno and Tulare counties.

Clearing roadways

To clear roadways, Caltrans crews have worked around the clock, with staff rotating between 12, 14, and 16-hour shifts, said Public Works Director Brendon Biggs.

State Route 18 from Big Bear to Lucerne Valley was open only for residents with proof of residency. Intermittent closures are expected for essential deliveries of food, fuel and medical supplies, according to Caltrans on Thursday.

Escorts were also established for residents on SSR-330, and Route 18 on the mountain's south side.

San Bernardino National Forest rangers on Thursday advised the public that some parts of the forest will be inaccessible for several weeks as crews work to clear roads and make infrastructure repairs necessary following the recent winter storms that walloped the region.

Caltrans crews have worked around the clock to clear snow from roadways in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Caltrans crews have worked around the clock to clear snow from roadways in the San Bernardino Mountains.

“We are working to address public safety and to assess winter storm damages.” Forest Supervisor Danelle Harrison said. “Due to limited access and deteriorating conditions, it will be several weeks before the San Bernardino National Forest is fully operational.”

Portions of the forest already had snow packs over four feet when fresh snow fell Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Caltrans and county workers were also working day and night to clear 39 miles of roads in the Wrightwood area.

San Bernardino County fire officials are asking residents to help firefighters by clearing snow away from neighborhood hydrants since it can take up to 30 minutes to locate and access them if covered.

SBC Fire is also advising residents to know where their gas meters were located and to gently clear snow away by hand or broom. Don’t use a shovel or other sharp tools. If you smell gas, call 911 or SoCalGas at 800-427-2200

A natural gas explosion in Twin Peaks on Thursday blew out the side of a snow-covered home. No injuries were reported.

Shelters and contacts

SBC and American Red Cross officials have established an emergency shelter and resource center for mountain residents who cannot get home at Redlands East Valley High School, 31000 E. Colton Avenue in Redlands.

An additional shelter is located at Rim of the World High School at 27400 Route 18 in Lake Arrowhead.

The shelter will be staffed around the clock, and resources will be available daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. A call center at 909-387-3911 will operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday to provide information.

Department of Behavioral Health Mental Health 24-Hour Helpline is available at 888-743-1478.

The answers to many storm-related questions are available on the county’s FAQ webpage at dpw.sbcounty.gov/operations/snow-removal/FAQ/.

For additional roadway information, visit Caltrans District 8's Facebook and Twitter accounts or the agency's website.

Motorists can plan commutes and view live traffic conditions and planned lane closures by using Caltrans' QuickMap.

For those with sensory disabilities and those needing information in a language other than English, contact Public Affairs at 909-383-4631 or TTY 711.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Help arrives for residents of snow-filled San Bernardino Mountains