Hurry up and wait.
Feelings of frustration and anxiousness were all around as residents of the San Bernardino Mountains lined up, hoping to get home when escorts start at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28. For some, it would be the first time home in days.
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“They’re not letting anyone up,” said Stephanie Powers, a resident of Running Springs, who was waiting early Tuesday afternoon to make it up the hill to home. “Not residents, or anyone.”
Many mountain residents were waiting — along Waterman Avenue or along Highland Avenue in San Bernardino — for their opportunity to head home, to see the snow that has kept them away and caused havoc in the communities they call home.
San Bernardino County declared a local emergency late Monday to obtain state and local help in clearing snow from neighborhood streets and mountain highways — many closed since Friday.
Caltrans announced late Tuesday morning that escorts would be in place for upbound residents of the communities inundated with snow. Recent storms have brought more than 7 feet to some areas.
For now, the escorts will be from 5 to 9 a.m. and from 5 to 9 p.m. on Highway 18 at 48th Street in San Bernardino and Highway 330 at Highland Avenue.
Powers and her family had been out of town and then returned to have to stay in a hotel, but they checked out this morning, she said, and as of now, they have no place to go.
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“They’ll allow us up at 5 when it’s snowing again,” Justin Franco said questioningly. He also said he had concerns as residents are being left in the lurch, since they’re letting people down the mountain, but not up.
Another storm is moving into the area and expected to bring another round of heavy snow to lower elevations and chilly, cold temperatures. But forecasters say this one shouldn’t bring as much chaos.
Roy French, who’s lived in Running Springs for 20 years, said he’s never seen closures like this. “There hasn’t been a blizzard this bad since ’69 and ’89,” he said.
This is a developing story. Check back for more information.