San Bernardino County crews continued response and recovery work Tuesday following heavy rain, high winds, flooding and mud and debris flows impacting multiple communities, particularly near burn scar areas, and an assistance center for residents is set to open toward the end of the week.
Heavily impacted communities include Wrightwood, Lytle Creek, Phelan, Piñon Hills and Hesperia.
To provide residents with recovery information and in-person assistance from government agencies, the county Office of Emergency Services will open a Local Assistance Center in Hesperia from Jan. 8-10 at the Rick Novack Community Center, 13558 Palm St. Hours of operation Thursday and Friday are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The county will provide transportation to the center, officials said.
“Our communities deserve clear information and pathways for help,” Board of Supervisors Chairman and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said in a statement. “Local Assistance Centers will bring trusted partners together in one place so residents can get answers, learn what resources may be available and take the next steps toward recovery.”
District 1 Supervisor Paul Cook said in a statement, “We’re focused on two things: keeping people safe and helping communities recover. As response crews continue clearing roads and addressing storm damage, Local Assistance Centers will provide in-person support for residents navigating recovery needs.”
On Dec. 25, county CEO Luther Snoke declared a local emergency countywide, which supervisors approved Dec. 29. Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency Dec. 24 for San Bernardino and other counties impacted by the late December “atmospheric rivers” that dropped large amounts of rain and caused disruptions throughout Southern California.
The emergency declarations make the county and residents eligible for potential financial aid. The assistance center serves to connect residents with available local, state, federal and nonprofit recovery resources and guidance, officials said.
The Local Assistance Center will provide support services to affected residents and businesses who need information on disaster-related losses or damage resources. Representatives from the county, state and non-government organizations will be available to answer questions and connect people with services.
Shuttles to and from Care and Reception Centers and the LAC will be available, with return trips for residents every one to two hours.
Care and Reception Center pick-up locations are in Wrightwood, 1275 State Route 2; Lytle Creek, 497 Lytle Creek Road; and Phelan, 4176 Warbler Road. Care and Reception Center pick-up times are Thursday and Friday 9 a.m., noon and 4 p.m. Saturday pickups are 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The county provided this partial list of agencies that will be present at the LAC:
- San Bernardino County departments:
- Public Works
- Transitional Assistance
- Aging and Adult Services
- Public Health
- Economic Development
- Workforce Development
- Behavioral Health
- State agencies:
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Franchise Tax Board
- Department of Insurance
- Contractors State License Board
- Employment Development Department
- Department of Public Health
- Department of Housing and Community Development
- Department of Tax and Fee Administration
- Department of Veterans Affairs
Additional county resources include the storm readiness webpage at prepare.sbcounty.gov/recoveryresources and the Telephone Emergency Notification System, smart911.com/smart911/login.action?lpse=1. The Ready SB App also provides emergency alerts and safety information.
For insurance-related assistance after flood and mudslide impacts, county officials directed affected residents to the California Department of Insurance consumer hotline, 800-927-4357.
