Evacuated San Bernardino County mountain residents seek to help those still trapped by snow

Residents in San Bernardino Mountain communities continue to grapple with the aftermath of recent winter storms that brought blizzard conditions to even low elevations.

Sunday evening, Timothy Kiley, Assistance News Director at News Channel 3, was able to evacuate his Crestline home along with his family after spending ten days trapped inside.

While he is grateful to have been welcomed to stay at a friend's house in Redlands for the time being, there's still a lot of uncertainty and frustration with San Bernardino County's response to the emergency.

As of around 12:30 p.m., 85% of all roads in the San Bernardino Mountains have been plowed, according to the county's website. However, that figure changes depending on which community a web user focuses on when using the county's interactive map.

The County has shared some information regarding upcoming food distributions on its Facebook page. However, no specific dates are given. The most recent post shared today states that sites opened at 10:00 a.m. and that food would be handed out until supplies lasts at the locations listed.

However, it's unclear if the county has a plan in place to deliver food, medicine, and supplies to residents who are still trapped inside their homes.

"They have brought supplies to neighborhoods, but I don't know if they went door-to-door. This is all volunteers, not the county said Kiley.

California Highway Patrol has stopped escorting residents to snowed in communities in the San Bernardino mountains. First responders and officials with Southern California Edison are the only ones allowed.

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is partnering with Caltrans and San Bernardino County officials to deliver additional snow plows to areas that have yet to be cleared.

News Channel 3 has reached out to the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services, but has yet to hear back.

We also reached out to Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe, whose third district oversees the mountain communities, but have yet to receive a response.

Meanwhile, some residents in the mountain communities are banding together and attempting to help neighbors and other residents that are unable to leave the mountain. However, those efforts are limited.

The county has set up a storm response call center at (909) 387-3911. Mountain residents who wish to be relocated to an evacuation center or need assistance can call.

According to Kiley, one of his friends who remains trapped in her Crestline home said she called the hotline and was told she was put on a waitlist, but was not given a duration for when she may receive the help she needs.

Caltrans has announced that certain highway routes have reopened to resident’s only today, and will remain in effect indefinitely, unless an emergency occurs.

Routes that will be included are SR-18 (48th in San Bernardino to Snow Valley) SR-38 (Mentone to Big Bear), 189 (entire length), 173 (entire length), 330 (Highland to Running Springs). SR-138 (173 to 18) under R2 chain control conditions. All routes will be open in both directions. SR-18 will remained closed from Snow Valley Resort to Big Bear Dam (Arctic Circle) due to heavy snow packs and avalanche potential.

Residents will be allowed with proof of residency, this is usually a utility bill along with your ID. Chains are not required (except for the 138), but should be with carried in the vehicle as a precaution due to changing weather conditions.

At this time, if you are a nonresident, please visit the mountains when conditions have improved. We ask for your cooperation in giving local communities time to clean-up, recover and make progress in their areas before your visit.

Please slowdown in the mountains as heavy equipment is still being transported in. We are advising residents to please remain off the roadway, if able, as crews continue to work.

As a reminder, parking on the highways is prohibited on shoulders and turnout unless it is a designated emergency. If routes become overly congested, crews will initiate closures to clear incidents and assist in traffic control.