California mountain communities buried in heavy snowfall: State of Emergency declared #usnews

As winter continues its onslaught, the snow keeps pounding California's mountains, hitting even the most popular resorts and communities. From Lake Tahoe to Arrowhead, people are struggling with closed highways and dwindling supplies. The situation is so severe that the governor has declared a state of emergency in 13 counties, and the National Guard has been called in to help with rescue efforts. Snowplow drivers are expected to spend the next week trying to clear the roads, and officials have responded to nearly 100 rescue calls because of the snow. Meanwhile, Yosemite National Park is also closed after a record-breaking snowfall. As the situation deteriorates, emergency officials are urging people to stay home and avoid the roads at all costs.

Late Wednesday, Gov. Newsom declared a state of emergency in 13 counties — Amador, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Sonoma and Tulare. The governor also activated the California National Guard to help in storm response efforts, including in San Bernardino County, where Guard members and personnel from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection were set to “go door to door” to help rescue people trapped in their homes.

In the community of Blue Jay, about a mile from Lake Arrowhead Village, a structure fire injured two people, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. The structure was “fully involved to the ground” and only accessible by snow cat, the department said on Twitter, noting firefighters had to dig through snow to get to the hydrant.

Lake Arrowhead has received 2.5 feet of snow in the last 48 hours, according to the National Weather Service, and the surrounding area has seen over 6 feet of snow in the last week.

Goodwin’s Market in Crestline was closed Wednesday after the additional snowfall overnight collapsed part of its roof.

“We know many of you are counting on us and we will do everything we can to get open as soon as possible,” the market said in a Facebook post.

Rowe acknowledged that the risk to structures was also a concern for the county heading into the sixth day of snowfall. Mounds of snow reached rooftops in the mountain communities and made it nearly impossible to get around by car or on foot.

“We hear you. We know that you are concerned and we know that this is changing with the additional snow that fell last night,” Rowe said.

Snowplow drivers were expected to be clearing the roads for the next week, Rowe said.

Some residents posted videos on social media of their journeys up the mountain highways with escorts from Caltrans before they were put on pause.

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