Couple, dog saved after being snowed in for two months in remote cabin

A couple and their dog were looking after a cabin in a remote location in California and became stuck there after a winter storm in December. They were finally rescued by helicopter this week as they were confronted with a plummeting food supply.

Time nearly ran out for a couple who were stranded for two months in a cabin in a remote part of California, but help finally arrived as the pair's food supply was just about empty.

Officials said the two people and their dog were looking after a cabin when they became stuck there after a winter storm in December. They were finally rescued by helicopter this week as they were confronted with a plummeting food supply.


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On Feb. 1, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from a couple caretaking a property in a northwestern part of the county. The couple had told police they were stranded at the cabin due to significant snowfall and downed trees resulting from the winter storm in December, according to a press release.

They requested assistance from the sheriff's office in getting out before their food supply was completely gone, but due to the cabin's remote location and limited accessibility from the winter conditions, assistance from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Air Operations was made for the rescue effort.

California Highway Patrol Air Operations

(California Highway Patrol Air Operations)

"At about 1120 hours, CHP H-20 helicopter landed at the property and was able to pick up the couple and their small dog. The helicopter flew the couple to a landing zone just south of Downieville where a sheriff’s deputy transported the couple back to the sheriff’s office," the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office said.

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Video depicting a helicopter flying near the home was released from CHP online, with the air operations unit saying in the Facebook post that "H-20 was able to land near the cabin, while very strong winds were blowing."

Once the couple was returned to the office, they were reunited with their friends who had gone to pick them, officials said.

Thumbnail courtesy of California Highway Patrol Air Operations.

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