SITUATION REPORT
Incident: Winter Weather Update
March 16-17, 2023
Published: March 16; 9:30 p.m.

KEY ISSUES/CONCERNS AND UPDATES
Weather Situation: A break in the storm will continue through Friday (03/17), with low
precipitation and light winds expected to roll back into Mono County on Saturday (03/18) and
Sunday (3/19). Another atmospheric river storm is in the forecast starting next week on Monday (3/20) and lasting into Wednesday (3/22/23). This storm will be a cold, snow-producing storm compared to the last two storms, with several feet of snow above 7,000 feet in elevation and up to an inch of precipitation at lower elevations. The threat of snow sliding off of roofs will increase over the next few days as temperatures warm several degrees each day. Residents are urged to always be alert if walking under a roof or overhanging awning with snow and/or ice on it.

Communities across Mono County continue to experience varying levels of flooding and
excessive snow, impacting roads, operations, and structures. Many parts of the county are
experiencing road collapses (partial and full) and structural damage. Additional resources and equipment are arriving in every Mono County community over the coming days. Residents and visitors are urged to drive cautiously as activity increases throughout the county.

A temporary U.S. Postal Service trailer has been set up in Bridgeport June Lake Evacuation Order Lifted: Due to improved weather and reduced avalanche threat, the Mono County Office of Emergency Management has lifted the evacuation order in June Lake and the Temporary Evacuation Point at the June Lake Community Center has been closed. June Lake
residents and guests are urged to continue to use caution as avalanches may still occur due to
natural and other activity.

Winter Storm Damage Survey (Mono County): The Mono County Office of Emergency
Management (OEM) has developed a survey to collect information from property owners and
businesses who have experienced damage to their property/properties as a result of the recent
series of storms.

The collected data will be used to estimate total damages countywide and determine if enough
damage occurred to qualify the region for disaster assistance, such as low interest disaster loans
from the Small Business Administration for those who are uninsured or underinsured.
Completing the form does not guarantee the region or the property owner will be eligible to
receive disaster assistance.Survey: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/bc4f6e5aae13460bac89c2d9ee9bfaf1

Winter Snow Removal Needs Form (Mammoth Lakes): The Town of Mammoth Lakes is
compiling a list of residential property/business owners or renters who have a critical need to
clear their roof from excessive snow and/or to gain access and clear their propane tank as a
primary heating source. The Town will prioritize the requests based on critical life safety needs
and will contact the individual with further information if resources become available. Form: https://www.townofmammothlakes.ca.gov/ FormCenter/General-7/2023-Winter-Critical-
Snow-Removal-Needs-70

Mono Lake Avalanche Area Extremely Dangerous; Public Urged to Avoid Skiing the Area: There have been reported instances of people entering and skiing the closed area of U.S. 395 north of Lee Vining where there is an active avalanche mitigation effort underway. The public is urged to
avoid this area as avalanches can occur without notice to the public, either naturally, or due to
ongoing avalanche control efforts by Caltrans.

2-1-1 Information Service Now Available for Non-Emergency Information (English and Spanish): The 2-1-1 Information Service has been established for Mono County. Residents and visitors are encouraged to call 2-1-1 where they will be connected with a live operator who can provide them with information related to the current storm, and/or for access to basic health and human services. 2-1-1 is an alternative resource for individuals not able to access digital assets such as the READYMono portal and agency social media platforms.

Sandbags Stationed in Each Community: Mono County and the California Office of Emergency
Services (Cal OES) have staged sandbags in each community for residents to use during the storm. Details on sandbag location information and maps for the staging areas are available here and on the READY Mono portal.

WARMING CENTERS AND SHELTERS
Temporary Emergency Shelter (Mammoth Lakes): A temporary emergency shelter has been set
up in the gymnasium of Mammoth Middle School (1600 Meridian Blvd.) in Mammoth Lakes. The shelter is available for individuals impacted by the current storm system.

Warming Center (Bridgeport): A Warming Center has been set up in Bridgeport at Memorial Hall (73 N School Street). The overnight shelter will reopen should the need arise. Call (760) 924-4633 for more information.

June Lake Temporary Evacuation Center Closed: Due to improved weather and reduced
avalanche threat, the Mono County Office of Emergency Management has lifted the evacuation
order in June Lake. In addition, the Temporary Evacuation Point at the June Lake Community
Center has been closed.

Reduced Rates for Evacuees at The Carson Valley Inn: The Carson Valley Inn will be honoring a
rate of $89 plus tax in the main hotel until March 31st for anyone displaced or without power
(subject to availability). No pets. Call (800) 321-6983 for reservations. Complimentary Lodging for Displaced Families at the Virginia Creek Settlement: The Virginia Creek Settlement will be providing complimentary lodging for anyone displaced or without power (subject to availability). Pets allowed. Call (760) 932-7780 for reservations.

EMERGENCY ALERTS
Winter Storm Watch: The National Weather Service’s (NWS) Winter Storm Watch that started
Thursday (03/09) at 4 p.m. has been extended to Wednesday (03/15).
Avalanche Warning: The Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center has extended their Avalanche Warning to Wednesday (03/15).

Mono County has declared a Local State of Emergency. The Town of Mammoth Lakes has declared a Local State of Emergency. Governor Newsom has declared a State of Emergency for Mono County and several other counties impacted by the storm.
President Biden has declared a National State of Emergency.

TRAFFIC/ROAD CONDITIONS
Hard Closures: S.R. 182 is now in a hard closure due to road damage. S.R. 338 is also in a hard closure. Benton Crossing Road is closed.

Residents Only: Westbound 167 c/o CA/NV stateline. CalTrans District 9’s Facebook page remains the most efficient way to obtain accurate highway information or use https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Caltrans Road Information
Mono County Road Information
NDOT Road Information
Local Mono County Roads Updates: Note: All projected work is weather-dependent and
equipment dependent. Mono County now has over 100 pieces of heavy equipment and
operators working in Mono County. This does not include the work and equipment in
Mammoth Lakes, Caltrans’ work and equipment on U.S. 395 and S.R. 203 or SCE’s work on their routes. Mono County maintains 600 miles of road.

Crowley Lake Area:
Roads open: Owens River Road, Crowley Lake Drive (from McGee Creek to Long Valley).
Roads still closed: Upper Rock Creek, Lower Rock Creek Work accomplished: Graded Lower Rock Creek below Paradise to get better access to Paradise and Swall Meadows; took plow into Swall Meadows and verified we had access to every residence.

Tomorrow: Will try to open Lower Rock Creek above Swall Meadows; will also begin to haul
snow out of Sunny Slopes.

Tri-Valley Area:
New roads closed: Fish Slough Road from Van Loon Cutoff Road to Black Rock Mine Road;
Chidago Canyon Road from U.S. 6 intersection to Fish Slough Road

Work accomplished: Joe Main Road is close to being finished; Yellowjacket Road progress is
good. Began working on Adobe Ranch Road with little progress due to running water.

Tomorrow: The focus will be on Yellowjacket Road, Adobe Ranch Road and if the third grader is done with the south end of Fish Slough Road, we will have him began working on the north end of Fish Slough Road.

Lee Vining Area:
Roads closed: Poole Plant Road
Roads opened today: Lee Vining Airport Road

Work accomplished: 30-plus loads of snow were hauled out of June Lake
Tomorrow: Will continue to haul snow out of June Lake Bridgeport/Twin Lakes Area:
Roads open: Twin Lakes Road is now open to Mono Village Work accomplished: Plowed Lee Vining Airport today so it could help with emergency services if needed.
Tomorrow: Getting more equipment tomorrow to help fix roads

RESOURCES
2-1-1
READY Mono Portal: https://ready.mono.ca.gov/
Mono County Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/countyofmono
Town of Mammoth Lakes: https://www.townofmammothlakes.ca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=833
National Weather Service – Reno: https://www.weather.gov/reno
CHP Activity – Mono/Inyo Counties: https://cad.chp.ca.gov/Traffic.aspx
Caltrans – Road Information: https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php
Mono County – Road Information: https://monocounty.ca.gov/roads
NDOT – Road Information: https://www.nvroads.com/
Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center: https://www.esavalanche.org/