Snowstorm donation program launched, more roads cleared, food delivered

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·8 min read

Mountain residents, some whom remain trapped indoors, will get more help as they struggle following recent historic storms that battered Southern California.

More rain and snow could be on the way, too.

Led by the San Bernardino County, Caltrans, the California National Guard and other agencies are working to clear roads and expedite the delivery of food and medications to areas such as Crestline and Lake Arrowhead.

On Sunday night, nearly 80% of county-maintained roads had been cleared by county crews and partnering agencies working around the clock over nearly a week from Mt. Baldy and Wrightwood to the eastern edge of the Big Bear Valley.

Over the last week, agencies have served residents stranded at the bottom of the mountain and many victims who are trapped in their homes by the snow, uncertain when a path will be cleared to the nearest grocery store or gas station.

San Bernardino County officials are offering information to those wanting to help residents affected by recent historic snowstorms in local mountain communities.
San Bernardino County officials are offering information to those wanting to help residents affected by recent historic snowstorms in local mountain communities.

How to donate

Residents in these mountain communities need the public’s help to recover from the storms for weeks to come. The following is an example of donations that residents need:

  • Canned goods.

  • Non-perishable foods.

  • Sanitary supplies.

  • Toilet paper.

  • Baby formula

  • Diapers.

  • Baby wipes.

  • Paper towels.

  • Dry goods.

  • Water.

  • Dog and cat food.

San Bernardino County officials are offering information to those wanting to help residents affected by recent historic snowstorms in local mountain communities.
San Bernardino County officials are offering information to those wanting to help residents affected by recent historic snowstorms in local mountain communities.

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., donors may call the county's hotline at 909 387-3911, press option 2, and speak to a live representative who will coordinate donations.

After the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., donors can visit the San Bernardino County Storm Response Emergency Donation website at sanbernardinohr.qualtrics.com.

A team member will reach out to donors to coordinate the next steps if specific services or items are needed.

Cash donations can be made to the American Red Cross by visiting redcross.org, calling 800-RED-CROSS, or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Please indicate San Bernardino County Storm Disaster Relief.

The need for donations will evolve with the conditions in the mountains. If donors do not receive a response from the Red Cross, the donation may not be needed at the time.

Private drop-off locations

Several locations in San Bernardino are also collecting food and supplies for mountain residents, including:

  • San Bernardino Community Hospital at 1805 Medical Center Drive.

  • The Rock Church and World Outreach Center, 2345 S Waterman Avenue

  • Sandals Church, 3701 N. Sierra Way.

Please contact each site for more information.

Food and resource distribution

Members of the community wanting to receive donations can call the SBC hotline at 909 387-3911 or visit SnowInfo.sbcounty.gov to learn about distribution locations and times at:

  • Wrightwood Elementary School POD, 1175 SR-2, Wrightwood.

  • Goodwin & Sons Market, 24089 Lake Gregory Drive, Crestline.

  • Rim of the World High School, 27400 SR-18, Lake Arrowhead.

  • Charles Hoffman Elementary, 2851 Running Springs School Road, Running Springs.

On Sunday night, nearly 80% of San Bernardino County maintained roads had been cleared by multiple agencies working around the clock in local mountain communities.
On Sunday night, nearly 80% of San Bernardino County maintained roads had been cleared by multiple agencies working around the clock in local mountain communities.

Snow removal and road conditions

On Sunday, 100% of county roads in the Wrightwood area were open to properly-equipped vehicles and crews are working on clearing and widening the roads.

Open, or passable, means at least one lane is open with less than 8 inches of snow, which can be navigated by four-wheel drive vehicles with chains.

Public Works crews also continued to make progress servicing county-maintained roads in the Crestline and Lake Arrowhead area, where more than 60% of roads are now passable.

County officials are asking that commuters avoid driving and parking on newly-plowed roads. The pathways are needed for emergency vehicles and additional plowing.

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 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 Caltrans Public Affairs at 909-383-4631 or TTY 711.

For road closures, visit SBC Public Works at dpw.sbcounty.gov/operations/road-closures. For the latest county-maintained road conditions, visit dpw.sbcounty.gov/operations/snow-removal/FAQ.

For the status of snow removal in mountain areas, visit snowinfo.sbcounty.gov/current-snow-removal-status.

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Works and Caltrans are not permitted to plow on private property. Residents will need to contact a private contractor to remove snow, if needed Please do not call the Storm Response Call Center to request this service.

San Bernardino County Animal Care on Saturday completed 11 calls in mountain communities, which included the distribution of dog and cat food, bales of hay and kitty litter.
San Bernardino County Animal Care on Saturday completed 11 calls in mountain communities, which included the distribution of dog and cat food, bales of hay and kitty litter.

Animal care

SBC has been assisting in the storm response by delivering pet food, transporting animals down the mountain and caring for animals at the animal shelter.

For those being rescued and moved from their homes to the Redlands East Valley High School shelter, if your pet can fit in a carry-on bag, you may bring it with you and it will be taken to the Devore Animal Shelter when you arrive in Redlands. Service animals are welcome at all Red Cross shelters.

Pets heavier than 10 pounds should be left in a safe place in your home or on your property. Contact SBC Animal Care hotline 800-472-5609 to coordinate pet rescue options or for more information.

Other resources

  • Those with urgent medical issues should continue to call 911. Other needs can be addressed 24 hours a day by calling the SBC hotline at 909-387-3911.

  • SBC provides a toll-free hotline for calls related to property damage, building permits, and related questions at 800-722-4542.

  • Mountain residents who may have snow-damaged homes can shelter at Rim of the World High School, located at 27400 State Route 18 in Lake Arrowhead.

  • Mountain residents who have not been able to get back up the mountain can stay at the Redlands East Valley High School shelter, located at 31000 E. Colton Avenue in Redlands.

  • Seniors can call the Department of Aging and Adult Services hotline for assistance at 877-565-2020.

  • For behavioral health services, call the SBC Department of Behavioral Health 24/7 phone line at 888-743-1478.

  • Disaster unemployment assistance information is available to employees affected by the winter storm at edd.ca.gov.

Mountain stories

It was reported that Costco made the first contribution to the county’s emergency donations program with a delivery of 96 cases of Kirkland water, 40 cases of cup noodles, 10 cases of wipes, 19 cases of macaroni and cheese and 20 cases of granola bars.

The SBC Office of Emergency Services, the Wrightwood Community Services District and the Wrightwood CERT team recently organized a supply giveaway at Wrightwood Elementary School.

Mountain Desert Career Pathways reported that Serrano High School Fire Science students and their teacher Adam Chacon teamed up to help the SBC Fire Department Station 14 in Wrightwood yesterday.

The Serrano team dug out fire hydrants and elderly residence driveways and vehicles. They also helped the transportation department clear snow embankments to make school buses operational.

The SHS team also created pathways for Wrightwood Elementary School to be ready for Monday morning. The schools are under the Phelan-based Snowline Joint Unified School District.

Serrano High School Fire Science students helped San Bernaridno County Fire Department Station 14 remove snow in Wrightwood.
Serrano High School Fire Science students helped San Bernaridno County Fire Department Station 14 remove snow in Wrightwood.

The SBC Sheriff’s Department and Search and Rescue on Sunday assisted 22 residents who requested transport to area shelters or off the mountain. They also transported one person to an ambulance for further treatment and continued to deliver food to residents.

The SBC Animal Care on Saturday completed a total of 11 calls within the mountain communities, which included the distribution of seven bags of dog food, six bags of cat food, six bales of hay, and two bags of kitty litter.

Over the weekend, a Cal Fire San Diego team located a family in need of diapers and baby food. The team later hiked a quarter mile in the snow to deliver the care package.

A total of 165 Crestline residents in Crestline have been contacted to ensure that medical issues were addressed, meals distributed and gas meters, driveways and vehicles were accessible, Cal Fire officials stated on Sunday.

Cal Fire was able to safely evacuate eight residents on Saturday, taking them to Goodwin’s Market where the SBC Sheriff’s Deputies shuttled them to the Red Cross shelter.

Approximately 30 cases of meals were distributed to residents in need, 1 resident was evaluated and ultimately transported by ground ambulance to a local area hospital.

SBC Fire crews worked with SoCal Gas to assist with gas emergencies and hazard assessments.

State of emergency

County officials on Feb. 27 declared a local emergency after mountain residents in the San Bernardino Mountains found themselves trapped at home or unable to reach their homes due to several feet of snow that fell over nearly a week.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 1 proclaimed a state of emergency to support and fund disaster response and relief in SBC and a dozen other counties.

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 SBC.

SBC officials continue to remind the public that the National Forest Service has issued an emergency closure order. Access is restricted to residents and emergency crews only.

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: Snowstorm donation program launched, more roads cleared, food delivered