Many residents stranded in Lytle Creek remain ‘in limbo’

Many residents in the Happy Jack area of Lytle Creek remained “in limbo” on Sunday, Dec. 28 after being stranded in the community for days when the area around the only bridge was severely damaged in Christmas Eve’s brutal storm.

The bridge itself appears intact and sound, said Don Parrington, a Lytle Creek resident. But the roadway next to it failed; floodwaters carved out a deep washout alongside the bridge.

County crews filled in the washout with compacted dirt, creating a “temporary bridge,” a dirt crossing that reconnects the road on the side of the bridge, Parrington said.

A video provided by county officials shows a dirt crossing next to the bridge where the roadway washed out.

It was tested with an emergency vehicle, which was able to cross successfully, said San Bernardino Fire Department spokesman Shawn Millerick.

However, he said, the bridge is not officially open to residents yet, pending further assessment.

Parrington said he went to the bridge on Sunday afternoon and saw multiple residents driving across it, despite the county’s “road closed” signs.

Residents can currently cross the creek on foot, he said, but most vehicles remained on the neighborhood side.

He said though the temporary bridge initially appeared stable enough for limited vehicle use, conditions later deteriorated.

“Now it’s in a state of limbo,” he said. “So now we’re kind of stuck again.”

Details about the specific problems were not available on Sunday afternoon.

The initial damage occurred on Wednesday, Dec. 24, when storm runoff wrecked the bridge on Sycamore Drive — the sole route into the mountain community — carving away 20 to 30 feet of roadway and cutting off vehicle access for about 250 residents.

While some residents and emergency responders were later able to cross the creek on foot, fire engines and ambulances could not reach the area during the closure.

No injuries were reported as a result of the washout, fire officials said. County officials did not yet have an estimate for when the damaged bridge area would be permanently restored.

Residents in the Happy Jack neighborhood said the washout left dozens of people — including elderly and disabled residents — without vehicle access for several days, prompting emergency responders to hike into the community and deliver water, generators and other supplies while crews worked to restore access.

County officials declared the area a disaster zone, allowing emergency crews to divert creek flow and begin repairs, including the construction of the temporary access road, residents said.

The Lytle Creek Community Center and Melody’s Place have continued serving as distribution points for food and water, with aid groups assisting residents during the closure, officials said.

Evacuation warnings for the Lytle Creek community were lifted Friday afternoon, Dec. 26.