A series of winter storms delivered snow that piled up to rooftops this week in the San Bernardino County mountain community of Lake Arrowhead.
A series of winter storms delivered snow that piled up to rooftops this week in the San Bernardino County mountain community of Lake Arrowhead.
The community about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles is one of many digging out from the historic snowfall. At Lake Arrowhead Village, snowbanks surrounded a block of stores. Plow crews cleared a parking lot at a Stater Bros., one of the few places in the area where residents can stock up on supplies.
Crews are working around the clock to plow roads in San Bernardino County, but it could take more than a week to reach some areas, said Dawn Rowe, chair of the county’s board of supervisors. Residents are dealing with as much as 7 feet of snow, and sheriffs’ authorities have conducted 17 rescue operations to help off-roaders and skiers.
Emergency crews are trying to reach residents who need assistance, such as medicine.
National Guard crews from Fresno were expected to arrive Thursday. Crews from Caltrans and Cal Fire with high-clearance vehicles arrived overnight.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino and 12 other counties to support disaster relief by making state agencies and aid available and asking for federal help in clearing and repairing highways. The governor announced that the state was bringing in more snow plows and road crews to help clear roads and he authorized the California National Guard to mobilize for disaster response if needed.
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A view of Lake Arrowhead Thursday March 2, 2023.
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The roof of a grocery store collapsed Wednesday under the weight of snow that covered Southern California mountain communities.
A look at the San Gabriel mountains from orange groves in East Highland. Credit: Don Short
Snow on the mountains above Oxnard. Credit: Deidre
The San Gabriel mountains seen from orange groves in East Highland. Credit: Don Short
Dale HArvey
View of Soledad Canyon from a drone at Soledad Canyon TT RV park.
Mark Turner
Palm trees leading to snow capped San Gabriel Mountains.
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The view from Cable Airport in Upland.
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A juxtaposition of the iconic SoCal palm trees against the San Gabriel Mountains dusted with snow in February 2023.
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Snow in North Fontana.
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Three snowmen in front of the Super Target store in Hesperia.
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A rare snowman in La Cañada Flintridge.
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A view of the 5 Freeway north of Los Angeles after a February 2023 snowstorm.
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A view of downtown Los Angeles Feb. 26, 2023.
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A view of the Hollywood sign Feb. 26, 2023 with snowy mountains in the background.
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A motorhome falls into the Santa Clara River in Valencia Saturday Feb. 25, 2023.
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Cars are stranded in water on the 5 Freeway in Sun Valley Saturday Feb. 25, 2023.
Ice, ice, icicles, baby. This is the scene in Big Bear. Credit: Stacy Horta
Steven Schreck
A downed tree in North Hills.
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Oak Glen Preserve blanketed in snow.
Sunrise in Anza. Credit: Kimberly Stansell
Snow in the Pine Cove and Idyllwild area. Credit: Roberta Hornsey
Mount Wilson Observatory
A view of snow Friday Feb. 24, 2023 at Mount Wilson Observatory.
A view of snow Friday Feb. 24, 2023 at Mount Wilson Observatory. Credit: Mount Wilson Observatory
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A view of the 5 Freeway in northern Los Angeles County Friday Feb. 24, 2023.
A person walks in the rain at Griffith Observatory on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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An aerial view of a rare snowfall over homes in Yucaipa Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.
A vehicle drives past a ‘chains required’ sign amid snowfall along a roadway in Los Angeles County, in the San Gabriel Mountains in Angeles National Forest, on February 24, 2023 near La Canada Flintridge, California.(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A plow clears the road for travel on the Angeles Crest Highway during a blizzard in the San Gabriel Mountains in the Angeles National Forest, California, on February 24, 2023. (Photo by Allison Dinner / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images)
The 5 Freeway Grapevine section closed Feb. 24, 2023. Credit: NBCLA
Snowy scenes in Yucaipa. Credit: Nikki Baugh
Friends of Big Bear Valley
A view of the snow-covered Big Bear eagles nest Feb. 23, 2023.
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Youth revel in the rare snowfall in Yucaipa with a view of the San Bernardino County mountains, as the National Weather Service issues its first-ever blizzard warning for the mountains, following a similar warning for LA and Ventura counties. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Lanny B Lewis
Willow the dog enjoys a snow romp in Big Bear. Credit: Lanny B Lewis
A windmill is contrasted with the snow-covered San Bernardino mountains in Yucaipa Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A jurassic scene unfolds at the Cabazon dinosaurs as snow from the recent cold storm covers the nearby moutains on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A snowman stands as snow blankets the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County on February 23, 2023 near Claremont, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Snow falls above a restaurant in the San Gabriel Mountains, in San Bernardino County along the eastern border of Los Angeles County, on February 23, 2023 in Mount Baldy. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Snow flurries fall while tractor trailers and automobiles travel along Interstate 5 at the Tejon Pass along the Grapevine on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 in Tejon Pass. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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People walk as snow blankets the town in the San Gabriel Mountains, in San Bernardino County along the border of Los Angeles County, on February 23, 2023 in Mount Baldy, California. A major storm, carrying a rare blizzard warning for parts of Southern California, is expected to deliver heavy snowfall to the mountains with some snowfall expected to reach lower elevations in L.A. County. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Mammoth Mountain
Snow in Mammoth Mountain
CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 23: A storm front passes while dropping precipitation as snow blankets the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County on February 23, 2023 near Claremont, California. A major storm, carrying a rare blizzard warning for parts of Southern California, is expected to deliver heavy snowfall to the mountains with some snowfall expected to reach lower elevations in L.A. County. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Yucaipa, CA – February 23: A child runs through the falling snow amidst a rare Southern California snow storm while having a snowball fight with her brother at Yucaipa Community Park in Yucaipa Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. Southern California has only gotten a taste of the powerful winter storm system that forecasters say will bring an extended period of cold temperatures, high winds and snow, prompting the regions first blizzard warning on record. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
CULVER CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 23, 2023 – Pedestrians make their way through an afternoon downpour in Culver City on February 23, 2023. A powerful winter storm system that forecasters say will bring an extended period of cold temperatures, high winds and snow, prompting the regions first blizzard warning on record in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Light snow capped the mountains of the Simi Valley.
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Storm clouds drift over the Long Beach International Gateway bridge on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023.
High winds blew sand inland, pelting walkers and skaters along Pier Plaza, in Hermosa Beach, CA, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A child runs through the blowing sand and strong, gusty cold wind to the waters edge, where there were large waves and strong storm surge in Huntington Beach Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Riverside CA – February 23: A semi-truck overturned amidst intermittent rain on the 215 Freeway in Riverside Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.. Southern California has only gotten a taste of the powerful winter storm system that forecasters say will bring an extended period of cold temperatures, high winds and snow, prompting the regions first blizzard warning on record.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Ha Nguyen, right, and Hang Dinh, visitors from Vietnam, revel in the moment as they arrive at the beach amidst the blowing sand and gusty cold wind, big waves and strong storm surge in Huntington Beach Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA-FEBRUARY 23, 2023: Gus Bolton, 6, left, and his brother Darcy, 4, take in the view from the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon. They are from Manhattan Beach. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A person takes in the scene of large, crashing waves, storm surge, blowing sand and strong, gusty cold wind at the waters edge under the Huntington Beach pier Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Storm clouds drift over Angels Gate Park in San Pedro on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Karan Randle
Cars crash in slippery conditions on the 10 Freeway Wednesday Feb. 23, 2023 in Yucaipa.
Yucaipa, CA – February 23: Katelynn Chavez, 17, and Pedro Ruiz, 16, take advantage of a rare snow day off school, hug after making a snowman amidst the rare sight of falling snow in Southern California at Yucaipa Community Park in Yucaipa with a view of the San Bernardino Mountains Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. The National Weather Service issued its first-ever blizzard warning for the San Bernardino County mountains, following a similar warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Southern California has only gotten a taste of the powerful winter storm system that forecasters say will bring an extended period of cold temperatures, high winds and snow, prompting the regions first blizzard warning on record. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
CULVER CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 23, 2023 – Daz Lopez, 40, works out against a backdrop of downtown Los Angeles between storms as seen from the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlooks in Culver City on February 23, 2023. A powerful winter storm system that forecasters say will bring an extended period of cold temperatures, high winds and snow, prompting the regions first blizzard warning on record in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Winter precipitation near the Hollywood sign.
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Snow in the Banning Pass.
In Crestline, the entire roof of Goodwin and Sons Market collapsed Wednesday as safety inspectors were onsite checking up on reported damage. Officials raced to salvage food that residents sorely need from its shelves.
Rowe said no one was injured.
“We know that roofs are starting to collapse,” she said. “There are other businesses that will likely be affected by the weight of the snow.”
The county has set up a hotline for residents dealing with issues like frozen pipes, roof problems and food shortages. The San Bernardino Mountains are a major tourism and recreation destination but also home to a large year-round population in small cities and communities around lakes and scattered along winding roads. About 80,000 people live either part- or full-time in the communities affected, said David Wert, a county spokesman.
Reprieve was on the way as the mountain community continued to dig out, with much of California expecting drier weather on Thursday. A key mountain section of Interstate 5, a major north-south highway, reopened Wednesday afternoon following closures due to snowy conditions, while blizzard warnings expired in the Sierra Nevada further north.
Anthony Cimino, a 51-year-old retiree, said he’s been snowed in for about a week in the mountain community of Running Springs. He finally managed to clear his decks, but not for long.
“I woke up this morning and there was another two-and-a-half feet on them,” he said. “It was kind of like Groundhog Day.”
Residents of these towns are grappling with so much snow they're running out of space to put it; clearing one area adds heaps to another. Grocery shelves had run bare of some items, like bread, and were running low on eggs and milk Tuesday. Cars remained buried under snow and roads closed.
At David and Kelli Góra's home in Big Bear Lake, the snow on the roof is now touching the snow on the ground. They shoveled a small area to let their dogs go outside, but are mostly hunkered down.
“We’ve been through some big storms … but this is just unreal,” David Góra said. “I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere.”
Over the past week, historic snowfall, ice and cold temperatures brought much of Portland, Oregon, to a standstill, trapping drivers on roads and highways, paralyzing government services and leading to at least two suspected hypothermia deaths.
