San Bernardino County residents have been under a state of emergency since Monday evening, as the rush of snow from the winter storm has left some people in mountain communities stranded or even snowed in.
The emergency declaration comes right as more snowfall is expected to cover the Southern California region this week.
The area has seen a dramatic influx of snow, visible in these NASA images released Monday. These are shots, from space, of Southern California from Feb. 10 and Feb. 26.
And here's the view from the regular air this week:
A glimpse of current conditions in our mountain communities. For more info ⬇️
— San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) March 1, 2023
•Road conditions @Caltrans8 https://t.co/En69lCn0R1
•San Bernardino County Public Works https://t.co/qEvQoMP4kg county-maintained roads conditions
• @NWSSanDiego https://t.co/JFNZA3esb9 weather info pic.twitter.com/426SlHUvEt
The declaration calls for state and federal support to help clear mountain highways and neighboring streets from snow, as well as to provide any other resources.
Plans for the California Highway Patrol to escort residents to snowed-in communities in the San Bernardino mountains are on pause as of Wednesday morning due to the weather. Escorts up Highways 330 and 18 into the mountains were suspended because vehicles — even those with chains on — were getting stuck in snow, according to Caltrans. That remained true for the scheduled evening escorts.
Caltrans officials said they reassess Thursday morning.
Operations began last night and are scheduled — when it's safe — to take place from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and then from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Joseph Miller, a CHP spokesperson, says many residents waiting to get home are in distress.
"It's difficult to hear people who are in this situation," Miller said, "but we also have to make sure we're providing safe conditions for them."
There's continuing concern about conditions, with more snow still falling today. As for residents holed up on the mountain, Miller said:
"We also have escorts being provided for fuel and food delivery services, that way the people who have been stuck on the mountain or have sheltered in place have the substance that they need."
Miller says residents who are planning to return home must have proof they live there. Chains are also required for vehicles.
Caltrans officials added that if traffic becomes inundated and if certain situations cause delays, then the escorts will stop. Officials also warn residents that if they come down the mountain, they might not be let back up — so be prepared for that scenario.
Escorts are for upbound traffic only on SR-18 at 48th Street in San Bernardino and SR-330 at Highland Avenue, according to the agency.
Here's the breakdown of how to figure out which route you need to take, according to your residency.
In a statement, Dawn Rowe, who chairs the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and represents many of the affected areas, said local partners like the county's public works department and Caltrans District 8 are working around the clock to bring relief and resources to residents.
Erik Sund, the city manager of Big Bear Lake, says they have been plowing streets around the clock since Friday, and will be continuing for another five days.
"Right now our focus is providing public safety access," he told LAist. "So this is making sure the roads are clear for emergency personnel and our lifelines that are coming up. We are continuing to facilitate food and fuel delieveries in conjunction with CHP, Caltrans, and the sheriff's department."
The CHP has been escorting food and fuel to the city. The main challenge with clearing the roads has been the snow berms blocking the lanes. Sund said no one was injured during the storm, nor did anyone lose power.
Another storm is expected to land in Big Bear tonight, dumping between one and two feet of snow.
Snow has already impeded people in other parts of Southern California. On Monday, Orange County schoolchildren stranded at mountain camps were transported home by bus, days after they were supposed to return.
As of now, there's still no official estimate for when mountain highways will be available for public use.
UPDATE: 6 PM 02/27/23 #Caltrans8 crews have worked tirelessly to get our infrastructure safe enough for travel. With the upcoming storm moving into the area, Caltrans, alongside our @CHPArrowhead partners has deemed the necessity to conduct resident-ONLY escorts up the mountain. pic.twitter.com/oeN4VGlK4i
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) February 28, 2023
Here's some information on the county's snow removal process as provided by the county.
If your property is damaged during snow removal or cinder spreading operations, it will be in your best interest to obtain as much of the following information as possible:
After obtaining this information, you should call the Road Yard Supervisor in your area and explain the damage to them.
If the damage was caused by County equipment, file a “Claim Against the County” form with the Risk Management Division, within six months of the occurrence. A claim form may be obtained by calling the Radio Room at (909) 387-8063.Be sure and include copies of written estimates of damage and photographs, if possible. Mail to Risk Management, 222 West Hospitality Lane, Third Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0016, (909) 386-8631.Be sure to check with your yard supervisor first before filing a claim against the County.
We'll keep updating this report as more information becomes available.
