Mountain residents ‘stuck’ down the hill get assistance at Redlands emergency shelter

Residents of the San Bernardino Mountains were getting assistance at the American Red Cross disaster relief emergency shelter Thursday morning, March 2.

The shelter was set up this week at Redlands East Valley High after the series of pummeling storms hit the region. Volunteers on site Thursday morning were unloading cots for those who sought shelter at the Redlands school.

While it’s unclear how long the shelter will be in place at the school, one volunteer, Mickey Wheeler, said, what is clear, is that the San Bernardino Mountains have been inundated with snow from the strong storms that pushed through the region over the past week, bringing extreme cold and blizzard conditions.

Residents have been stranded down the mountains, as arteries into the mountains have been shut down while crews work to make them passable. Many other residents have been stuck at the higher elevations, cut off from supplies and in some cases dealing with power outages, as roadways all across the mountains remain shut down.

Late Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in 13 counties affected by winter storms, including Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

That emergency declaration means additional state resources would be provided to San Bernardino County, and other affected counties, and personnel from Cal Fire and the California National Guard would be deployed, Newsom’s office said.

For residents directly affected though, emotions were mixed.

Running Springs residents Denise Madera and her 8-year-old daughter Delilah Rodriguez were at the American Red Cross disaster relief emergency shelter on Thursday, March 2, seeking help finding a hotel to stay in overnight. (Photo by Madison Hart/Redlands Daily Fact/SCNG)

Denise Madera and her 8-year-old daughter Delilah Rodriguez came down the mountain late Tuesday morning. Her husband and her son also came, she said. By Tuesday night they were headed back up to their Running Springs home via the escort process, but upon arrival they decided to turn around and come right back down.

When they arrived late Tuesday, they saw their street was closed due to a tree hitting power lines. We would “have been stuck since,” Madera said Thursday morning at the shelter. The family spent the past two night in a hotel and were there Thursday seeking help finding another hotel, Madera said.

“We’re going to figure out what we’re doing tonight,” she said. They plan to look for a hotel, unless they can get an escort up the hill. They also have their puppy with them.

While it’s been a challenge, Madera said, they’re “making the most of the situation.” She took the kids shopping Wednesday, and Delilah said she’s had fun, but she has been a little scared at times too.

Others have stayed overnight.

Crestline resident Lisa Cleugh, 60, was outside Thursday morning. She said she’s “frustrated” with the current situation. Her husband is stuck at their house in Crestline. While she came down on Monday due to health issues and stayed at a hotel, other nights have been at the the shelter.

“I have no clothes,” Cleugh said. “Nothing.”

San Bernardino County set up a hotline — 909-387-3911 — for residents dealing with issues like frozen pipes, roof problems and food shortages.

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