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Storm packs a punch for Inyo, Mono counties |
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Tuesday, 08 January 2008 |
 Slushy and icy roads on U.S.. 395 north of Bishop in the Mustang Mesa area led to this single-vehicle rollover on Friday at about 11 a.m. Travel in the Sierra is not advised today. Photo by Keith Rainville By Keith Rainville
Sports Editor 1-5-2008
A large Pacific storm crashed into the Sierra with a vengeance on Friday morning, bringing pounding rain and sleet to the Owens Valley floor and heavy snow to the local mountains. Local law officials, Caltrans and other emergency responders warned Eastern Sierra residents to stock up on essentials and bed down for the powerful storm.
The storm was expected to take a slight break this morning and then turn even colder, windier and nastier through Sunday with snow on the valley floor. Winds from 40-50 mph were expected along U.S. 395 in the Owens Valley.
By Friday morning, the snow level was just north of Bishop with icy-slush causing a rollover on U.S. 395 at about 11 a.m. Heavy snow had already begun to accumulate in the Round Valley area, with the town of Mammoth Lakes seeing 2-4 inches of snow pile up each hour . The National Weather Service Reno Office was calling for totals of 3-5 feet of snow to have hit Mammoth by this morning.
Inyo County Sheriff Bill Lutze said that the county was working hard on Friday to plow snow and keep motorists out of harm’s way. The county planned to close U.S. 395 at the base of the Sherwin Grade and encourage motorists to use lodging or emergency facilities in Bishop to wait out the storm.
Lutze said that he was worried about drivers trying to avoid road closures on U.S. 395 and placing themselves in life-threatening situations. The county planned, if necessary, to open the Home Economics Building at The Tri-County Fair for stranded motorists who need to sit out the storm. Also the old Kmart parking lot in Bishop was slated to be used for big-rig parking. In the event of a loss of phone systems, Lutze said that he planned on “saturating” streets from Lone Pine to Bishop with patrol cars, making emergency personnel available to be flagged down by residents.
In preparation for the storm on Thursday, Jan. 3 the Town of Mammoth Lakes, using the newly ins talled reverse 911 system to callevery household, notified residents and visitors to be prepared for periods of blizzard conditions and heavy snow beginning Friday, Jan. 4, through Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Thursday afternoon and evening, local grocery stores from Bishop to Mammoth were hit with droves of customers stocking up on batteries, water, food and other necessities.
The storm was expected to hit hard Friday and Saturday morning with a slight break during the day today. But cold weather with snow and powerful winds were expected to pound the Eastern Sierra Saturday evening through Sunday with much more precipitation on its way.
In a special statement in addition to the warnings and advisories for the area, the NWS Reno warned that “attempting to travel in the Sierra on Friday and Saturday would put your life at risk.”
The Town of Mammoth Lakes advised residents and visitors to be prepared by listening to KMMT, 106.5, and Sierra Wave, 92.5, for any road closures or shelter openings at the Mammoth High School. The Town will also post updated information on the Public Information Line: (760) 934-8054, TV 51, and the Tourism and Town’s Web sites. To report emergencies along U.S. 395 or State Route 203, please call 911. For all other emergencies within Mono County, call Mono County Dispatch at (760) 932-7549 ext 7.
Contact Caltrans at (800) 427-7623 or visit the CHP Web site (www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/) for the latest road conditions.
In the event of extended road closures, or power loss, officials advised residents and visitors to stock up on water, food, first-aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, along with special items for medical conditions. Residents may also consider alternative ways to heat their homes; and if they have to drive, motorists should fuel up their vehicles in advance, carry chains, a cell phone, emergency food, water and blankets or sleeping bags.
The Town of Mammoth Lakes also has some snow-smart advice, which Owens Valley residents might heed if the valley is hit with heavy snow, to keep them and their families safe this winter:
• Child Safety: Please keep children indoors while snow removal operations are under way.
• Pedestrian Safety: Don’t watch snow removal operations from the edge of the road.
• Back Off: Keep a safe distance (40-plus feet) when driving/standing behind snow removal equipment.
• Slow Down: The maximum speed when chain controls are in effect is 25 mph.
• Light it Up: Leave the exterior lighting of your home on at night during winter storm.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 22 February 2008 )
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