As the snowstorm moves through California, from mountain communities to the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino County, residents who remain trapped are concerned about dwindling supplies.
As of this Tuesday, the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range could record one to three inches of snow.
Heavy snowfall over the weekend combined with gusty winds have prompted avalanche warnings for Monday in parts of the central and southern Sierra Nevada.
In southern San Bernardino County, where emergency crews are working to reach immobilized communities, mountainous areas will see light snowfall Monday that will dissipate as the week progresses.
Over the weekend snowfall reached up to 38 inches in a 24-hour period at Soda Springs in Nevada County and 31 inches at Donner Peak in Placer County.
Because of this severe weather Yosemite National Park decided to close its facilities indefinitely as snow accumulated as much as 15 feet in some areas.
California Residents Worried About Winter Storm
Winter storms that have moved westward across the country have left hundreds of people stranded in their homes, roads clogged and vehicles stuck. So much so that businesses, including grocery stores, have been forced to close.
“People are getting desperate. They need medication. They need food for their children,” Derek Hayes, a resident of the Cedar Glen community, told CNN.
He commented that he has been trying to clear the snow blocking his home to go out to buy food and check on his elderly neighbors.
“We were promised that help is coming. But we’re getting a little impatient here. I’m not sure how much longer we can hold out,” Hayes added.
Iliana Vargas, who resides in San Bernardino County with her family, commented that they have not been able to return home for days after they went out for supplies and were notified that they could not return home due to road closures.
“We have our whole life up there, our businesses, my job, my laptop, everything is there,” Vargas commented. He added that he is worried that his house will collapse under the weight of the snow.
San Bernardino is one of 13 California counties under a state of emergency issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week, allowing the entry of support squads and the California National Guard for rescue and recovery efforts.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office reported Sunday that approximately 150 people were rescued from their neighborhoods Saturday and placed in shelters off the mountain.
They also reported that 80% of county-maintained roads had been made passable.
However, neighbors detailed to CNN that it is no use having the main roads clear if the streets near their homes are impassable, making it impossible for them to walk to shelters or food distribution sites.