UPDATE: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department continues to monitor the evacuation warning for portions of Wrightwood as a powerful storm system moves through the region. County Officials warn that the most dangerous conditions are expected between 2 AM and 10 AM on Thursday as heavy rain, snow, and strong winds impact the area.
Storm Update & Expected Impacts
According to National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Alex Tardy, the largest and most intense band of weather will move over the Bridge Fire burn scar near Wrightwood between 2 AM and 3 AM Thursday. Snow levels will drop to 3,500 feet between 6 AM and 7 AM, potentially affecting travel through Cajon Pass.
- Rainfall totals: 2-3 inches over a 6-hour period
- Snowfall totals:
- 6-12 inches down to 6,000 feet
- 12-20 inches above 7,000 feet
- Storm duration: Heavy rain and snow expected until 9-10 AM Thursday, with lingering snow and showers through Thursday evening and possibly into Friday.
High Winds & Travel Impacts
- Mountain wind gusts: 50-60 mph, starting midnight Wednesday into Thursday morning.
- Desert wind gusts: Up to 55 mph.
- Interstate 15 near Mountain Pass: Snow is possible, with a 40% chance of 1 inch and a 10% chance of 2 inches accumulating.
County Officials urge residents to avoid travel in the early morning hours Thursday (2 AM – 10 AM) due to hazardous road conditions.
Emergency Preparedness & Response
- Sheriff’s “Blizzard Wizard” Sno-Cat Deployed: The Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station’s Sno-Cat, known as the “Blizzard Wizard,” has been staged at the Wrightwood Community Center parking lot in preparation for the storm.
- Public Works Teams On Standby: County crews are monitoring flood channels and preparing snow removal equipment for expected heavy snowfall.
School Closures
Due to the ongoing evacuation warning, all Snowline Joint Unified School District schools were closed Wednesday, March 12, and are expected to remain closed Thursday, March 13. Parents and students can check for updates on Snowline JUSD’s Facebook and X (Twitter).
Additional Resources
- Sandbags: Available free of charge to San Bernardino County residents and businesses at local fire stations. Supply is first-come, first-served. More info: Sandbag Information
- Emergency Alerts: Sign up for San Bernardino County’s Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) to receive critical alerts via phone and text. More info: Register for Alerts
- Storm & Flood Information: San Bernardino County Public Works provides updates on road closures, interactive maps, and storm preparedness. Visit: Storm Preparedness Information
- Disaster Preparedness: San Bernardino County’s “Preparedness Starts Here” website offers safety tips for all emergencies. Learn more: Emergency Preparedness
Stay Updated
Tri-Community NewsPlus will continue to monitor this developing situation. For the latest updates, visit 4newsplus.com.
THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2025 @ 5:00pm
Residents of Wrightwood are being urged to prepare for possible evacuations as a powerful storm system moves into the region. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department issued an evacuation warning at 5:00 PM on March 11, 2025, citing the risk of mud and debris flow in the area.
The warning affects residents from County Line east to Pine Street and Rivera Drive south to Acorn Trail. While this is not a mandatory evacuation, officials are advising residents to remain alert and be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.
Storm Brings Multiple Weather Hazards
The National Weather Service has issued several warnings ahead of the storm, including a Flood Watch, a Winter Storm Warning, and a Winter Weather Advisory.
- Flood Watch: Heavy rain is expected from Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon, with rainfall rates of 0.50 to 1 inch per hour in the mountains. Flooding and debris flows are possible, especially near burn scars from recent wildfires, including the Bridge, Line, and Airport fires.
- Winter Storm Warning: The San Bernardino Mountains could see 12 to 24 inches of snow above 6,500 feet, with wind gusts up to 70 mph making travel hazardous.
- Winter Weather Advisory: Lower elevations above 6,500 feet could receive 3 to 10 inches of snow, with rain turning to snow as temperatures drop.
Snowline Schools Monitoring Conditions
The Snowline Joint Unified School District is closely monitoring the evacuation warnings and the approaching storm. School officials are coordinating with emergency agencies and the Office of Emergency Services to assess potential impacts.
In a statement to the community, Snowline officials said:
“Tomorrow morning, we will conduct our operational assessment early and aim to provide updates before 5 AM regarding our school day. The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority.”
Parents and students are advised to stay tuned for further updates from the school district.
No Road Closures Yet, But Travel May Become Dangerous
At this time, no road closures have been reported, but officials warn that conditions could change rapidly as the storm progresses. Strong winds and heavy rain may create hazardous driving conditions, especially on Highway 2 and mountain roads.
Residents Encouraged to Prepare
Officials urge residents in the evacuation zone to have an emergency plan in place, including packed supplies, important documents, and a safe evacuation route.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department is providing sand and sandbags at local fire stations on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents can visit sbcfire.org/sandbags for locations and availability.
Stay Informed
For updates and emergency alerts, residents can check the following sources:
- San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office: wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts
- Wrightwood Fire Safe Council: wrightwoodfsc.com
- Snowline Joint Unified School District: Facebook
- San Bernardino County On Facebook: Sheriff or Supervisor Cook
Tri-Community NewsPlus will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as new information becomes available.
