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Weeks after severe storm, residents in San Bernardino Mountains embark on arduous recovery

April 15, 2023

Weeks after a record-breaking storm pummeled the San Bernardino Mountains, dirty snow still lines the streets, piled atop cars and blocking driveways — slowly melting remnants of the extreme weather that radically changed people’s lives and a stark reminder of the arduous recovery ahead.

The storm dumped more than 100 inches of snow in the region over several days, isolating many for days, forcing some to go without food or needed medicine and endangering lives, while clogging local roads and damaging property and businesses.

Amid criticism of a slow response, local officials admitted they were unprepared for the extraordinary storm. A resident-led volunteer effort dubbed “Operation Mountain Strong” cropped up to dig neighbors out of homes and deliver food and medical supplies, at one point clashing with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department over landing helicopters.

While many of the storm’s immediate effects have subsided — most roads are clear and people are able to get out of their homes — residents say the memories of the harrowing weeks won’t let go.

Inside the lower offices of the local movie theater, Blue Jay Cinema, Operation Mountain Strong still gives out boxes of food to residents that trickle in.

Organizers Patrice Mock, a 57-year-old Lake Arrowhead resident of 26 years, and her daughter, 26-year-old Crestline resident Faith Mattioli, said that the donation outpost sometimes feels like a place for survivors to reconnect, especially as many have been unable to return to work.

“Honestly, sitting here, I’m ready to cry,” Mock said. “It was all about residents helping each other in the beginning. We did not have any help. Even when people got up here, we felt like we were forgotten.”

Mock and Mattioli recalled the early days of the storm, when residents would climb to the top of enormous snow berms outside their homes to take photos and try to connect with neighbors. Facebook groups were filled with dozens upon dozens of posts from people asking for help digging out their cars, or for someone to get groceries to them.

“During the beginning phase, no one could come up here, so you couldn’t get the help that you needed,” Mattioli said. “A lot of us, we’re just volunteers — we’re not licensed EMTs or anything.”

At Goodwin’s Market, the beloved Crestline grocery store and community pillar that saw its roof collapse during the storm, crews are in the midst of rebuilding of most of the store. Kaleb Goodwin, whose family owns the store, walked around what used to be its floor — it’s now an enormous swath of empty, rain-soaked concrete — and detailed the recovery process.

Blue Jay Cinema, a center for resident relief food donations is still active on Thursday, April 13, 2023. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)

“We calculated that about 2.55 million pounds of snow were on our roof, and then it collapsed,” Goodwin said. “I’m very optimistic that we’re going to build a better store that will be good for the community and good for our family.”

The Goodwins plan to add new dining areas and a new food preparation area to the store, in addition to replacing the roof and the parts of the building’s infrastructure that were damaged.

“I think the community is devastated,” Goodwin said. “A lot of them want to move off the mountain. A lot of people are very supportive. We’ve had very positive feedback.”

Eryk Staubel, 40-year-old Lake Arrowhead resident, is part of the family that owns the local Lake Arrowhead Brewing Company. The brewery was about celebrate its third anniversary when the storm hit.

“Everything deteriorated really quickly,” Staubel said. “It got really scary. The idea of being trapped in your home for a fun snow day turned into a type of “Groundhog Day” event.”

Lake Arrowhead Brewery Co. employees Richard Shaltz and Hunter Goneia keep busy on Thursday, April 13, 2023, as production has not slowed down due to storms. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)

Even for residents who were left relatively unscathed by the weather itself, there is a resentment among some towards local officials and an anger at how their response unfolded.

“I was able to keep my house safe from any damage,” Brent Coates, 61, a retiree who has lived in Lake Arrowhead for five years. “I don’t feel traumatized, I was prepared enough … I’m disappointed, because our real estate prices are going to plummet. People are going to leave in droves.”

Coates, too, acknowledged the way neighbors came together, even if they had never spoken before.

“It’s amazing how many people are thanking their neighbors and community for helping out,” Coates said. “The county really dropped the ball.”

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has responded to criticisms, saying that they were able to respond quickly to most emergencies, but they did not do a good enough job of informing the public about their efforts through social media.

For Mock and Mattioli, the lasting emotions have changed over time. Even all these weeks after the storm, as sun peeks through the clouds some days and the snow slowly melts, buildings are still red-tagged and many businesses still have not re-opened.

“I’m really sad,” Mock said. “People have lost their lives. That’s a big deal … the homes that collapsed, the people that were displaced.”

“I think it’s all emotions,” Mattioli said with a sigh.

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