OPERATION MOUNTAIN STRONG

We are community members providing disaster relief, mutual aid, & community recovery in the San Bernardino Mountains


HELP ME

CALL 911 if your situation is Life Threatening

 

San Bernardino County Storm Response Hotline

(909) 387-3911

 

Baby Supplies and Support for Moms

Mountian Pregnancy Center

909-744-0906

 

County Housing Services

211

 

Mental Health Hotline

988

 

Pet & Animal Needs

1-800-472-6509

 

DEVORE ANIMAL SHELTER  

909-386-9820  

19777 Shelter Way, Devore, Ca   92407     

 

OPERATION MOUNTAIN STRONG is here to support the County of San Bernardino in its rescue and relief efforts. We are supplemental help to the authorities.

PRESS RELEASE

SUPPORT IS STILL NEEDED IN THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS

San Bernardino Mountains, CA — Now, a month after the seven-day blizzard began, followed by another storm that added three more feet of snow, the mountains are again under siege by the weather. An ice storm hit yesterday and is predicted to continue through at least today. Most of the main roads had been cleared since the last storm, but today are again impassible. The smaller public roads, private access roads, and driveways are still a challenge for many residents who need to leave their homes. 

The governor of California declared our mountains to be in a State of Emergency, but assistance from the state never arrived. About 500 volunteers from throughout the mountain communities have been boots on the ground from day one: collecting donations and distributing them throughout the disaster areas. We call ourselves “Operation Mountain Strong”. 

CalDART joined the volunteer effort—in the air with six helicopters transporting more than 21,000 lbs. of food and medical supplies. They staged out of San Bernardino International Airport. This made the flight only seven minutes, takeoff to touchdown. The helicopters brought food and supplies to the Mountains Community Hospital helipad in Lake Arrowhead and to a SkyPark parking lot in Skyforest where volunteers picked up the supplies and distributed them where they were desperately needed. They are on standby ready to help again. But the weather today precludes any helicopter activity.

There are only three supermarkets in the mountains around Lake Arrowhead and Crestline—Goodwin’s in Crestline, Jensen’s in Blue Jay, and Stater Brothers in Lake Arrowhead. Goodwin’s Supermarket was totally destroyed when the entire roof collapsed. Jensen’s suffered storm damage that required it to be closed. This left thousands of people without a place to get food quickly. Now there is only one supermarket left in the mountains to provide for about 45,000 mountain residents. The County food distribution ended as of March 20 and leaving only two locations open until March 26.

Yesterday and today’s ice storm has again closed many roads, and even walking to get food is treacherous. Many mountain residents are desperate, they haven’t been able to go to work, and are without food or fuel for warmth. 

Food donations are still needed because of loss of income due to 20+ days of unplowed or closed roads which has left a long-lasting recovery need. In the last month, Operation Mountain Strong has distributed more than 56,000 lbs of food; fresh food donated by World Central Kitchen when it was needed the most, and GEM provided food for more than 1,500 homes. With the contributions donated, the volunteers have fed more than 20,000 people. Donation and distribution locations continue to be operated by volunteers because there’s still a need in the community.

The volunteers of our community are pleading for your help with donations

Items may be purchased directly via our Walmart Registry https://www.walmart.com/registry/ER/15cb1432-db58-46ca-b101-1e52c9d849d5 
OR
You may drop off donations at Northpark Baptist Church, 5095 N Mayfield Ave. (Mon-Sat 9-1), or at Gods Helping Hand Thrift Store at 840 N Sierra Way (Mon-Fri 1-4), San Bernardino, CA. 
OR
Cash Donations may be given via our recovery fund 
https://www.gofundme.com/f/san-bernardino-mountain-relief-fund

Supplies needed include but are not limited to:

Bread
Canned food, soups
Canned chicken and tuna
Cup of Noodles
Diabetic friendly food
Kid snacks
Juices
Microwavable food (non-frozen)
Instant macaroni and cheese
Cereal
Instant oatmeal
Pancake mix (add water only)
Pancake Syrup
Butter
Eggs
Cheese
Pasta and sauces
Rice 
Beans 
Broths
Dog and cat food
Baby food
Formula: Soy and regular and digestive, all kinds. 
Milk, lactic acid milk, canned milk, shelf milks (almond, oat, etc.)
Peanut butter & Jelly

In addition to food, the need for the following items is needed:

Diapers (all sizes: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 etc.) 
Diapers (adult)
Feminine hygiene products
Baby wipes 
Shovels
Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste)
Ice melt 
Small toys for kids
Manual can openers
Small space heaters
Electric blankets
Duraflame / firewood logs
Winter clothing and boots
Heavy bags to carry supplies

This effort is coordinated by the local volunteers of Operation Mountain Strong, who are valiantly trying to help the San Bernardino Mountain Community during this historic time. They have covered from Green Valley Lake, Arrowbear, Running Springs, Skyforest, Lake Arrowhead, Cedar Glen, Agua Fria, Blue Jay, Rimforest, Twin Peaks, Crestline, Lake Gregory, Hook Creek, Crest Park, Valley View, 1000 Pines, Cedar Pines Park to Valley of Enchantment.

Volunteers are still needed to help with packing and distribution on both sides of the mountain and can go to https://operationmountainstrong.com/ for more information. 

In closing this Press Release, we need to publicly acknowledge the awesome efforts of local churches, local businesses, which have been unbelievably generous, the Red Cross, which had provided food and shelter for mountain people left homeless by the storm, the San Bernardino County Sherriff, whose deputies have been hugely helpful, the County and Caltrans workers who put in 24/7 struggles to get the roads clear, and the contractors who brought up megatons of heavy equipment and operated it with surgical skill, and the pilots, mechanics, and dispatchers of CalDART, who flew the helicopters that proved so essential to our rescue effort. This tragic disaster brought out the best in our communities—neighbors helping neighbors, everyone trying to help in any way they could. Mountain people came together in what can only be called an extortionary display of our faith, courage, and strength.

#mountainstrong
#SanBernardinoMountainsBlizzard2023
Operation Mountain Strong
operationmountainstrong.com
https://www.walmart.com/registry/ER/15cb1432-db58-46ca-b101-1e52c9d849d5 
https://www.gofundme.com/f/san-bernardino-mountain-relief-fund
caldart.org 

PHOTO
3/22/23 Highway 189, Blue Jay, CA.

DONATE

DONATE 

 

Donate Community Recovery Funds click here

(same as the green DONATE button top right)

 

Donate Food and Other Basic Needs Items click here

You can direct purchase specific items we need to support our community. These items will be used to provide necessary support to our food hubs and increase the value of our services to our most vulnerable citizens. 

 

You may also donate items at any of our Donation Locations or Food Hubs

 

Thank you for helping our community!

 

BIG THANKS to our corporate donors: 

Goodwin's Family Markets

Global Empowerment Mission

World Central Kitchen 

Home Depot

Lowes

 

 

DONATION LOCATIONS

MON -SAT  9AM-1PM (NO SUNDAY)

NORTHPARK BAPTIST CHURCH

5095 N MAYFIELD AVE 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92047

 

BEGINNING 3/13   

MONDAY-FRIDAY  1PM TO 4PM (NO SAT SUN)

GODS HELPING HAND THRIFT STORE 

840 N SIERRA WAY  

SAN BERNARDINO, CA 

 

 

FOOD HUBS - Food and Supplies

COMMUNITY SITE: VALLEY OF ENCHANTMENT

TBD - Looking for new location

 

COUNTY SITE: CRESTLINE LIBRARY (through 3/24)

24105 LAKE GREGORY DRIVE

CRESTLINE, CA 92325

10 AM - 4 PM

 

COMMUNITY SITE: DART CANYON

TBD - Looking for new location

Contact Eva if you are in need (909) 301-7725

 

COMMUNITY SITE : BLUE JAY CINEMA

27315 N Bay Rd, Blue Jay, CA 92317

CONTACT - (949)-591-1252

COMMUNITY SITE: DART CANYON

 

COMMUNITY SITE: CEDAR GLEN

Mountain Provisions Free Store

28930 Hook Creek Rd (old Cedar Station)

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 9-5pm 

SUNDAY 11-4pm

CONTACT: [email protected] 

 

ADDITIONAL FOOD RESOURCES : 

JUBILEE MOUNTAIN FELLOWSHIP

23978 LAKE DR, (across from the credit union)

CRESTLINE, CA 92325

3rd SATURDAY 11a-4p 

 

MOUNTAIN MEALS ON WHEELS

909-436-8065

[email protected]


 

 

VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS

SNOW REMOVAL

 

LAKE ARROWHEAD: LISA (310) 346-9919

 

CRESTLINE: MAX (909) 294-1889

 

 

FOOD DELIVERY - POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION
 

CRESTLINE: EVA (909) 301-7725


LAKE ARROWHEAD: NATALIA (949)-591-1252

 

ROAD CLOSURES

Caltrans Logo

Check Current Highway Conditions   You can also call 1-800-427-7623 for current highway conditions.


This highway information is the latest reported as of Monday, March 27th, 2023 at 04:30 AM.

SR 18

NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.


SR 138

NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.


SR 173

NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.


SR 189

IS CLOSED AT THE JCT OF SR 173 (SAN BERNARDINO CO) - DUE TO ROAD DAMAGE - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE


SR 330

SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC IS REDUCED TO 1 LANE 1.5 MI SOUTH OF THE JCT OF SR 18 (SAN BERNARDINO CO) - DUE TO A WASH-OUT


 
 

UTILITIES & RENT ASSISTANCE

Need help paying utilities or rent? These guys can help

 

Hearts & Lives in partnership with SB County

909-338-3222

call to make an appointment

INSURANCE & PAPERWORK ASSISTANCE

Need Help filling out your FEMA, County or Insurance Forms? These guys can help

 

United Policy Holders

Disaster Recovery Assistance

REBUILDING & REPAIR ASSISTANCE

Need help with rebuilding or repair? These folks can help!

 

Rebuilding Together

909-336-3910

 

Rebuild Project / Bless This Place Design

347-578-4904

EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS

Apply for emergency EDD click here

or call 1-800-300-5616

 

Everyone (employees and self employed) is eligible under our current FEMA status. Apply now! Benefits available back to 2/23/23

STRUCTURAL DAMAGES REPORTING

FEMA Damages Reporting click here

202-282-8000

(all damages to personal property as a direct result of the storm. House, Car, etc..)

 

County Structural Damages Reporting click here

 

Get up to $500 back from the county for out of pocket snow removal costs. 

 

PET SHELTER

DEVORE ANIMAL SHELTER  

909-386-9820  

19777 Shelter Way, Devore, Ca   92407                          

 They will hold evacuee’s pet(s) from the areas of Crestline, Bug Ben, Forrest Falls and Running Springs

         

Call before drop off !

option 2 for rescue, then option 1

 If a resident needs a pet(s) picked up, call the same phone, press option 2 for rescue, then option 4 for field service

 

County Animal Services Hotline

1-800-472-6509

 

Donations of pet food and cat litter gladly accepted.

REPORT PRICE GOUGING

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