Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) has issued a state of emergency and activated the California National Guard in 13 counties due to the winter storms plaguing the state.
The Democratic governor made the proclamation to “support disaster response and relief” in the counties of Amador, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Sonoma, and Tulare.
Certain areas, including San Bernardino County, have been hit especially hard, causing issues with power and food and water deliveries to homes trapped by the waves of snow. Newsom’s office said state personnel, including from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Caltrans, and the California Highway Patrol, are helping vulnerable populations there.
“The state is also contracting with private companies to accelerate snow removal and clear roadways, and is coordinating with investor-owned utilities to rapidly restore power,” Newsom’s office said.
Snow showers were continuing late Wednesday in the mountains of San Bernardino County, per the National Weather Service. “Travel will be very difficult to impossible.”
Residents of the area have been pleading for more help, according to local outlet KTLA. “There’s roofs collapsing everywhere, people are needing assistance and rescues. All of the stores are running low on food and water supplies. The gas stations barely have any gas,” Miyah Nelson told the news station.
“Mr. Newsom, can you please send some help? We really need the help of the National Guard. We need our roads cleared so that way people can get out of their homes. They’re all trapped.”
It is not just this week that the Golden State has faced inclement weather. Last week, from Tuesday to Sunday, parts of the San Gabriel mountains saw nearly 6 feet of snow, and inland parts of Southern California saw nearly 5 inches of rain, according to the NWS, which issued a blizzard warning for Los Angeles County for the first time since 1989. More than 100,000 people were left without power.
