Big Bear 'critically low' on food and fuel after severe storm traps residents
Big Bear residents are in a dire situation after all the routes leading to the area have remained closed since Friday with no estimated time of a full reopening.
The closure has frustrated many not only residents trying to return home but also those trying to leave. Authorities have set up roadblocks throughout San Bernardino County.
A roadblock remained in place on California State Route 18 in San Bernardino Tuesday morning. CHP and Caltrans were helping mountain community residents return home Tuesday morning, checking IDs and running escorts up Highway 18. Access for visitors remained restricted.
CHP officers were checking IDs and having drivers apply chains to tires, then running escorts for mountain residents to get back home for as long as conditions allow. Some rain and snow was already falling Tuesday morning.
Snowplows and grocery trucks were also heading up State Route 18 Tuesday morning.
Caltrans escorted Crestline, Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs residents up the incline roads for a few hours Monday night before closing the roads again at 9 p.m. to continue plowing one main path for first responders.
"I'm livid," said one resident. "There's been cars coming down all day long, two-wheel drive. We all have four-wheel drive with chains and they won't escort us up."
On Monday, county officials declared a local emergency seeking state and federal help to clear snow from the mountain highways.
"Today's emergency declaration is an important step which will elevate the state's response to this extreme weather event," said Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe, whose Third District includes the 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 also prioritizing the safety of all."
The routes reopened briefly but only for the California Highway Patrol, which was escorting seven tractor-trailers full of food over the weekend. However, it was not enough.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, gas stations and grocery stores reached critically low levels of food and fuel on Monday.
Big Bear resident Cat Corliss and other drivers were stranded in the mountain town, running on empty tanks and striking out on finding fuel. One driver said she went to three gas stations and had no luck.
"Letting you know there is absolutely no gas to be found up here," said Corliss.
Grocery stores in the area disputed this claim, saying that their stores were operating fine following the delivery over the weekend.
"We're getting to the end of where we can be comfortable just feeding our child," said Crestline resident Dan, who is trapped with his newborn and wife. "It's frustrating."
The resident added that he felt forgotten.
The California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, said they have been working around the clock to reopen single pathways along major roadways for first responders and medical personnel. As of Monday afternoon, residents and non-residents are not allowed up the mountain and there is no estimate on when the mountain highways will reopen.
County officials asked all drivers, residents and non-residents, to stay away from the area for road crews, first responders and supply vehicles to get up to the mountain using the limited number of cleared roads.
On Monday night, Caltrans announced they were reopening a route for upbound traffic for residents of Crestline, Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs but didn't announce anything for Big Bear residents.
- Residents of Crestline and Lake Arrowhead should use SR-18 at 48th Street to return home.
- Residents of Running Springs should use SR-330 at Highland Avenue.
In response to this crisis, the American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Redlands East Valley High School at 31000 east Colton Avenue for mountain residents seeking safe shelter amid the road closures.
The shelter will be fully staffed and resources will be available until 8 p.m. After tonight, Resources will be available daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
