Snowstorms force San Bernardino County officials to declare emergency as weather batters mountain communities
San Bernardino 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, with more expected.
The declaration seeks state and federal assistance to clear snow from mountain highways and neighborhood streets and to support other necessary work and services in mountain areas.
“Today’s emergency declaration is an important step that will elevate the state’s response to this extreme weather event,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe, whose 3rd District includes impacted mountain communities. “Our team of state and local partners will continue working round-the-clock on a coordinated and comprehensive strategy to bring relief and resources to our residents while prioritizing the safety of all.”
Caltrans and SBC Public Works and crews have been working around the clock to create access along key routes for first responders, and progress is being made in some residential areas. However, there is no estimate for when mountain highways will open to public traffic or when residential areas will be safe for local travel.
Interstate 5 has been closed off and on since Feb. 24. Caltrans on Sunday night reported that crews continued clearing operations on mountain highways. They also reported temporary hard closures with no access to highways 18, 138, 189, 173, 330, and 38.
"Our mountains have received several feet of snow already, and the roadways leading in and out of the mountains remain closed,” San Bernardino fire officials reported on Facebook.
American Red Cross sets up shelters
Officials with SBC and the American Red Cross 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.
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.
The SBC Fire Department is using specialized snow vehicles to access patients in medical need. Some areas have experienced power outages, and Southern California Edison is working to restore power for these customers.
All agencies are asking mountain residents and non-residents not currently on the mountain to avoid the area and allow road crews, first responders, and supply vehicles priority access to the limited number of roads that have been cleared.
The SBC Sheriff’s Department and other first responders have had to divert resources to assist with several search and rescue calls for individuals engaged in non-essential travel across the mountain region. This is why agencies urge the public to be patient and respect travel restrictions and road closures.
Local, state government agencies team up to clear roads of snow
SBC Public Works coordinated with multiple agencies, including CalFire, SBC Fire, the County Office of Emergency Services, Caltrans, and Southern California Edison. Crews have been working diligently around the clock to plow county-maintained roads as quickly as possible.
The priority is on primary roads creating arterial access from the state highways. Crews have been successful in plowing most primary routes across the mountain.
Loaders are the primary heavy snow removal equipment in many areas due to the depth of the snow. Road graders and trucks cannot effectively remove snow in deep snow over 3 feet.
Secondary roads will be completed once primary roads are passable. When storms stop, the county will begin widening and clearing roads.
Big Bear Mayor Randall Putz took to Twitter to say, "The City stands with our neighboring San Bernardino Mountain communities. We recognize that this storm has brought great stress and strain to local residents, resources, and essential personnel. Our hearts go out to those that have been impacted.”
Governor’s office coordinating help with San Bernardino County officials
On Monday, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said it is coordinating closely with SBC officials to assist the communities impacted by the storm.
Assistance includes working with Caltrans to bring in additional snow plows and road crews, opening a shelter for residents unable to get home, and coordinating with law enforcement to escort essential services providers, such as power companies, food, and water deliveries, as well as, services providers for vulnerable populations.
This remains a dynamic and evolving situation, and the State Operations Center in Mather, California, continues to be activated to respond to storm impacts and render support, the state reported.
Weather conditions are forecasted to worsen in the coming days. The state reminds members of the public in the strongest possible terms to heed instructions from first responders and to avoid unnecessary mountain travel so that first responders can focus on clearing the roads and helping communities reopen as soon as possible.
San Bernardino County mountains grapple with dangerous road conditions
On Monday, the SBC Sheriff’s Department reported that local mountains received several feet of snow over the last few days, impacting the day-to-day operations throughout the mountain communities, such as Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead, and Crestline.
Cal-Trans and the SBC Roads Department have been working day and night to create single-lane pathways along the major roadways, enabling first responders to have access to those in need.
However, additional work is needed before they will be safe for regular traffic due to the volume of snow remaining on the roadways.
The SBC Fire Department is utilizing tracked vehicles to access patients in medical need. Some areas have experienced power outages, and SCE is working tirelessly to restore power for these customers.
More snow may be on way to San Bernardino County mountains
Weather reports indicate the possibility of several more feet of additional snow over the next few days.
More:2-day storm expected Tuesday in the High Desert
“At this time, we are asking non-residents and residents not currently on the mountain to avoid the area and allow road crews, first responders, and resupply efforts priority access to the limited number of roads that have been cleared,” sheriff’s officials stated.
Additionally, gas stations and grocery stores have reached critically low levels and cannot support additional consumers now.
The Sheriff's Department is working with local agencies to create a warming center for those on the mountain needing additional resources.
Sheriff’s officials will continue to monitor road and infrastructure conditions in conjunction with Cal-Trans, County Roads, and California Highway Patrol.
Additionally, the Sheriff’s Department and other first responders have had to divert resources from their current efforts to assist with several search and rescue calls for individuals engaged in non-essential travel activities across our mountain region.
“We ask that people respect the travel restrictions and road closures as we work with our partners to open access,” sheriff’s officials said.
The answers to many storm-related questions are available on the county’s FAQ’s 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 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: San Bernardino County declares emergency as snow batters mountains
