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San Bernardino County first responder agencies have been making specific preparations for a new round of rain and snow expected to arrive as early as Sunday afternoon, and they are urging residents – especially in the mountains – to prepare as well.
The storm is expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday and dump as much as three feet of additional snow on mountain communities that were hit with as much of 10 feet of snow during storms in late February and early this month.
The County has taken the following steps to prepare:
- All County Public Works operations employees, seasonal employees, and on-call contractors are being activated for snow plowing and storm patrol to operate staged equipment on split shifts for 24-hour coverage and will remain on duty through the duration of the storm.
- Residents and businesses should be aware that plowing all county thoroughfares and roads takes time, and that priority is given to main arteries. A snowplow not being visible on your street does not mean County crews are not out in full force. They will arrive.
- County Flood Control District crews are being activated on split shifts for the duration of the storm. Equipment is staged at strategic sites, including the El Dorado Fire burn area as well as along the Mojave River to help manage increased runoff from the snow melt. First-line-of-defense flood control basins in the foothills have been cleared and are ready to accept mud and debris flows.
- The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District has made a request to the State Office of Emergency Services for two strike teams consisting of 10 engine crews from other California agencies to be staged at a central location so they can be dispatched as needs arise.
- County Fire has also stationed swift-water rescue teams throughout the county, including the Mojave River. Hand crews and bulldozers have also been pre-positioned throughout the county.
- The Sheriff’s Department has added extra deputies for routine patrol for the next two weeks along with deputies assigned to address traffic-related issues and enforce anti-roadside snow play regulations.
- The County Office of Emergency Services (OES) is continuously monitoring the weather, coordinating reports, and implementing multiagency coordination calls.
- The County is prepared to activate the Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) to warn residents who might be in danger.
The County urges residents, especially those in the mountains and areas susceptible to flooding, to take the following precautions:
- Limit travel as much as possible. When you do have to travel, do so with caution.
- Maintain at least a two-week supply of food, water, medications, essential equipment, and fuel.
- Stay clear of moving water.
- Monitor weather reports for emergency advisories. Visit the National Weather Service, San Diego, https://www.weather.gov/sgx/ for the latest weather information impacting San Bernardino County
- The TENS system is preloaded with all landline telephone numbers in the county. However, it is updated only every six months and does not include mobile numbers. To ensure you receive TENS alerts, sign up here: http://www.sbcounty.gov/sbcfire/Tens/TensContact.aspx.
- Do what you can to prevent snow from accumulating on roofs and adjacent to your home.
- Beware of snow and ice sliding down from rooftops.
- Protect your property with sandbags if you believe you might be vulnerable to flooding.
- Use tarps to protect damaged structures.
- Check for updates and helpful information on the County’s Snow Information website, https://snowinfo.sbcounty.gov/; on the County’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SanBernardinoCounty/; and on Twitter and Instagram, @sbcounty.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
For storm information and assistance, call the County’s information line at 909-387-3911. The line is staffed seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voicemails left after hours will be returned the following morning.
  
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