Power outages in mountain communities impacting residents, closing schools

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Power outages in the communities of Oakhurst, Bass Lake, North Fork, Madera County and Mariposa County are impacting residents.

According to PG&E's outage map, thousands of residents have been without power since Friday.

Over 7,000 people were still without power throughout Madera County on Monday.

J. Doss has lived in Oakhurst for about ten years. He said he's been without electricity since the latest storm hit Madera County.

"Gosh, I don't know, I've lost track of time. I think it's uh, I think since Friday but it's hard to tell," said Doss.

He said it's been a struggle dealing with no running water for the last few days, but overcoming challenges is nothing new for him. From wildfires to snowstorms, Doss has seen it all. But he said he wouldn't change a thing.

"Every so often you get these storms and then the beauty just pops out again, so yeah, it's beautiful up here," said Doss.

The conditions can also be dangerous, from icy roads to full creeks.

"Right now, we're calling a number of crew members from our valley floor up to the mountains and we're sending in our most experienced plow drivers," said Chief of Development Services of Madera County, Matthew Treber.

He said crews have been working around the clock since Friday.

"All hands on deck. Overtime, again, 12 hour shifts. Every person available we got working out there to try and clear the roads and keep the traveling public safe," said Treber.

The Mariposa Unified School District (MCUSD) will be observing a snow day Monday, February 27.

The district added that it is aware of other obstacles that staff and families are being impacted by such as road conditions, downed trees and power outages.

MCUSD will reassess conditions Monday to see if any changes are needed for school on Tuesday.

Bass Lake School District told families Sunday that school will be canceled for OES, OCI, Wasuma, and Fresno Flats Monday due to the power outages, campus safety conditions and the incoming weather.

All Yosemite Unified Schools will be closed Monday as well because of current conditions.

Sierra Unified says school is still planned as normal for Monday.

The American Red Cross evacuation center has opened in Oakhurst and Mariposa County.

The Oakhurst center is located at the Oakhurst Community Center and the Mariposa center is located at the Mariposa Senior Center.

Both are open to those impacted by power outages.

The National Weather Service is issuing Winter Storm Warnings starting at 4 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday afternoon for anywhere above 3,000ft in elevation

A Blizzard Warning also starts Monday morning through Wednesday morning for the Sierra Nevada.

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