The San Bernardino Mountains were still blanketed by several feet of snow on Monday, Feb. 27, and with road closures still in effect and more snowfall on the way, residents and travelers were growing concerned of when they will be able to leave their homes and rentals — and how long their supplies will last.
Vira Krasiuk and her family had come to Lake Arrowhead from Aliso Viejo on Friday for a short trip, only planning to stay until Saturday.
The family, which included three adults and three kids, remained trapped at their rental home and were running low on supplies and unable to make the drive to the nearest grocery store. On Monday, two family members walked about two hours down to the nearest gas station to get water, dry noodles and other necessities.
Originally from Ukraine, Krasiuk said she had never experienced a winter storm like this even when back home.
“We called the fire department and asked about when we could leave and they said all roads are closed,” Krasiuk said. “We cannot get out.”
Hard road closures remained on Monday with no access to anyone other than emergency services while Caltrans staff continued working to clear the snow on highways 18, 138, 189, 173, 330 and 38, according to Caltrans spokesperson Carolina Rojas.
“Staff continues to work around the clock making great progress considering the circumstances that we were faced with,” Rojas said.
Many long-time residents prepared and stocked up ahead of the storm but did not anticipate the road closures continuing through Monday.
Caltrans officials said trucks hauling groceries and other supplies made the trip up Highway 18 over the weekend to Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake, and were coordinating additional efforts with local agencies for fuel, groceries, medical and other essential needs in all mountain communities — but some residents said their stores were still dwindling on supplies.
Robin Unwin-Bassett, who has lived in Twin Peaks for three years, said her…
Read the full article here
