After two months, a couple trapped in the snow at home was rescued by the California Highway Patrol Valley Division Air Operations (CHP), who sent a helicopter rescue team to airlift them and their dog from their snow- and fallen trees-covered California Cabin.
On a Facebook post, CHP shared a photo of the couple calling for a rescue team as they were stranded in a remote Northern California cabin following a snowstorm since December 6, 2021. The couple and their family dog were running out of supplies. However, they could not leave the cabin as the roads were impassable due to heavy snow.
CBS News reported that authorities recorded the cabin's location to have had a historic amount of snow in December, with more than 17 feet falling in Lake Tahoe.
Helicopter rescue
A video posted by CHP showed that the cabin's front was surrounded by trees and blocked by snow. The helicopter was able to land near the cabin, despite strong winds.
The couple and their dog were rescued and flown to a landing zone. The authorities said that the couple remained at the sheriff's office until friends picked them up.
Trapped inside his house in Ontario all winter
A similar incident happened in Ontario where an Ottawa man could not leave his house all winter after being barricaded in by snow. In 2019, Narcity reported that an older man was trapped after a powerful storm brought 40-cm of snow in Ottawa in two days.
The neighbors reported the older adult after not seeing him throughout winter. When the police forced their way inside the man's home, they noticed that winter snow blocked the door and the driveway, and there was no sign of life or track marks. The police called for assistance in clearing the snow to get in the house.
Once inside, they found the older adult inside, alone and alive. After being trapped in snow, the man told them that he spent the winter surviving on whatever he had in his house. Three officers then cleared his house of snow.
Preparing for winter at home
The recently-rescued couple survived at home for almost two months and only called the police when they ran out of supplies.
King5 recommended several essential things that a home should have to help household members through any weather-related disasters. These are:
- Water - Red Cross recommends that emergency supplies must have at least one gallon per person per day. If evacuation is necessary, then supplies should last for three days. If the reserve is only used at home, there should be at least a 2-week supply of water.
- Flashlight
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Extra batteries
- First Aid Kit
- Medication supply
- Multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Family and contact emergency information
- Extra cash
- Emergency blanket
- Food supplies
