Winter Weather Causes Closed Roads, Closed Schools and Winter Storm Warnings

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VICTORVILLE – Fallen overnight debris on two Victorville roads has caused a temporary closure Victorville officials said.

Residents in the Victor Valley should use alternate routes from Rodeo to Arrowhead Drives and Arrowhead from Pebble Beach Drive to Hughes Road. This particular area was subject to major flooding last winter, with vehicles becoming trapped, including one causing the death of a 41-year-old Victorville man.

City officials remind drivers to use caution when driving in inclement conditions and to avoid standing water or other hazards, including downed power lines. Drivers should never attempt to drive over or otherwise make contact with a downed power line and should report the downed power line to authorities. Flood water although it may look shallow or otherwise safe can pose a drowning risk regardless of a person’s ability to swim. This swift-moving water or even shallow standing water can pose a risk even to those in vehicles, causing the vehicle to be swept away or causing the vehicle to stall.

The National Weather Service warns of strong gusty winds into Tuesday evening as a result of the Pacific storm. The winds are expected to subside by Tuesday night, but the strong 20-30 mile per hour (mph) with up to 50 mph gusts, can pose risks to motorists, homeowners, or others who may be outdoors. These winds can lead to difficult travel, especially those in high-profile vehicles like SUV’s and Semi-trucks. Those driving on the I-15 or CA-395 should drive with special caution. This is expected to impact the areas of Apple Valley, Lucerne Valley, Hesperia, and Victorville. The high wind warning will remain in effect until 10:00 p.m.

With the winter weather in full effect, children who attend the Snowline Joint Unified School District Schools were excused for the day due to weather-related power outages in Wrightwood. Southern California Edison expects to have the power restored by Tuesday afternoon.

For the homeless in the Victor Valley, extreme cold and/or rainfall can pose a potential risk. As a result, the Victor Valley Community Warming Shelter, which is run by High Desert Homeless Services and the Victor Valley Rescue Mission opens nightly from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. to provide a warm and safe place for the homeless to stay overnight when the temperatures are expected to fall to 40 degrees or below or when overnight rains are expected. The warming shelter provides food, hot cocoa, coffee, snacks, and other items like socks, gloves, beanies, and jackets when available. Donations of water, toilet paper, paper towels, small coffee cups, coffee, creamer, sugar, and cash are an ongoing need to keep the shelter running. Those wishing to donate can send a check to:

High Desert Homeless Services

c/o Warming Shelter

14049 Amargosa Road

Victorville, CA 92392

or to PayPal account:

HighDesertHomeless@yahoo.com
(make sure to note that the donation is for the warming shelter)

The warming shelter is managed by High Desert Homeless Services and the Victor Valley Rescue Mission, but mainly operated by volunteers. Volunteers are always needed for the 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. shift or the 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. shifts. To volunteer, sign up at www.JustServe.org.