SOUTHLAND – (INT) – Southern Californians have been left in awe following a late winter storm that inflicted power failures, street flooding and dropped one of the deepest mountain snowpacks in years.

It could take days to reopen some roads in the San Bernardino Mountains. One ski resort reported 8-feet of snow.

At Lake Arrowhead, firefighters had trouble locating fire hydrants buried in the deep snow and could not save a flaming 3-story home.

At Devore near San Bernardino, a swiftwater rescue team responded to Cajon Boulevard near Keenbrook Road to rescue an individual from a pickup truck trapped in moving water. The driver was treated for hypothermia.
Three people were successfully rescued by boat Saturday from the swollen Santa Ana River after becoming stranded on islands near Riverside and Jurupa Valley. One victim suffered minor injuries.

Near Wrightwood, deep snow trapped several people in their vehicles on treacherous or impassible roads. Across the Los Angeles County line at Jackson Lake, firefighters armed with chain saws cut down several trees to rescue three adults and a dog after their vehicle became stuck in a ditch.

North of Lytle Creek, rescue crews plowed through heavy snow to reach two more people stuck on a remote road that became impassable.

“This has been one of the more impressive storms in the last few years here in Southern California,” said Rich Thompson, at the National Weather Service particularly because of its rainfall records and low-snow levels, including reports of flurries at the Hollywood sign.

In Northern California, more than 100 cars were trapped on Patterson Pass Road, also known as “Top of the World,” in Alameda County. Photos showed a long row of cars completely backed up on the mud- and snow-covered roadway.

Story Date: February 28, 2023