SnOMG: West Coast, Texas Get New Year's Eve Snow

Snow hits the West, including Arizona, Texas and Southern California.

ByABC News
December 31, 2014, 3:47 PM

— -- Cold weather and snow are catching thousands of unprepared Californians by surprise this New Year's Eve, with reports of authorities rescuing people.

In Southern California, San Bernardino County Fire Department said earlier today that it rescued 136 motorists after heavy snow in the San Bernardino Mountains crippled motorists. The fire department is cautioning motorists to dress appropriately for winter weather and to carry additional food, water and blankets in their vehicle when traveling.

PHOTO: Footprints are left in the snow along a neighborhood street following last night's winter storm in Yucaipa, Calif., Dec. 31, 2014.
Footprints are left in the snow along a neighborhood street following last night's winter storm in Yucaipa, Calif., Dec. 31, 2014. A blustery winter storm dropped snow on very low elevations across inland Southern California after stranding dozens of motorists on mountain highways.

And it was even a winter wonderland in unexpected parts of Arizona:

PHOTO: Nahn Phan, 20 of Peoria experiences snow for the first time at Sunset Point, Dec. 31, 2014 in Yavapai County, Ariz.
Nahn Phan, 20 of Peoria experiences snow for the first time at Sunset Point, Dec. 31, 2014 in Yavapai County, Ariz.

Around Sacramento, California, more than 8,000 customers were without power Tuesday due to heavy winds, ABC affiliate News 10 reported there.

High winds also affected the San Francisco Bay Area, where wind gusts topped 50 mph. Fallen trees blocked roads and caused delays on BART, or the Bay Area Rapid Transit.

There was even an ice storm in Odessa, Texas, overnight:

PHOTO: Yasmine Rodriguez walks her dog Hennessy, after an overnight ice storm in Odessa, Texas, Dec. 31, 2014.
Yasmine Rodriguez walks her dog Hennessy, after an overnight ice storm in Odessa, Texas, Dec. 31, 2014.

Snow fell south of Los Angeles in Lake Elsinore, California, Riverside County:

There was also a dusting in Las Vegas Valley, Nevada:

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