Whining noise when turning wheels - after being stuck in the snow

[odessit]

My bad... was stuck in the snow yesterday and tried to get out by turning the wheels - being sick hoped it would work - end up using shovel - a lot to remove the snow from under the truck and around wheels.
Now - there is a whining noise when I am turning steering wheel - it is quite loud. Wife drives the truck on a regular basis and according to her it started happening today - i.e. means that something happened after I got the truck stuck.
Quick read points to:
- loose belt
- bad power steering pump
- old fluid (it is old and should be replaced, perhaps) - but too much of coincidence - I would expect that the sound would get louder slowly with time
- air bubbles in the system - how???


What else? Did anybody have similar experience/chain of events?


I assume that it is safe to drive the car short term. Most likely will take to the dealer on Friday.

As always - feedback is much appreciated

 

[Sandroad]

Maybe all the turning back and forth accelerated the demise of belt/bearing/fluid. I imagine the pump/fluid/hoses may have been pretty hot. Also, check underneath the front end for snow/ice that might be packed into the wheel/linkage areas that could be loading down the steering system when trying to turn normally. That could make it work hard and whine (I know I do when I work hard.)