Local search and rescue teams prepare to help stranded people, vehicles for upcoming snowstorm
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- In advance of a major winter storm expected in the Pikes Peak region this weekend, authorities are asking people to avoid travel entirely to eliminate the need to conduct rescues.
However, there always are some people who don't heed that advice and become stranded, sometimes in hard-to-reach areas or on remote roads or highways, creating a potentially life-threatening situation.
That happened to hundreds of people and vehicles during the March 2019 bomb cyclone, and the weekend storm will hit on the second anniversary of that extreme weather event.
Several volunteer search and rescue groups stand ready to help rescue stranded people and vehicles. One organization, El Paso County Search and Rescue, trains regularly to perform rescues in all types of weather and terrain.
Another group is 4x4orce Community Rescue and Recovery, a Facebook group in which each member owns a four-wheel-drive or off-road vehicle to help rescue those in need.
"They can handle the kind of conditions that are forecasted to be thrown at us, and they'll go out because they want to make sure that nobody else is caught out, stranded and stuck," said Mark Hamilton, group moderator. "We'll make sure the people are OK and try to recover the vehicles as long as they're not damaged by a crash."
These rescue organizations also put themselves at risk, for the weekend storm expected to produce blizzard conditions and dump a foot or more of snow in many areas.
People who risk venturing out in the storm should be aware that conditions likely will delay the time rescuers require to reach you.
The group's services are free. For more information, call 719-445-9121 or visit: https://www.facebook.com/4x4orceCommunity/.
During a news conference Thursday, officials said that they are preparing for the possibility of rescues.
"We're coordinated with the Department of Transportation -- both city and county," said Jim Reid, director of the El Paso County Office of Emergency Management. "We're working with the state Department of Transportation, law enforcement. We'll have all those folks here, if we have to do a rescue."
Kevin Mastin, of the county's transportation department, said that even plow drivers will play a role.
"All of our drivers will stop and check to make sure that a citizen in their vehicle has everything they need in their vehicle, to be safe -- and if not, the driver will stay there with them," he said.
