Southern California Firestorms

The last picture we took as we evacuated our neighborhood before that
fire in the distance swept through and destroyed it. Tubbs, October 2017.

I thought I had nothing original, constructive or useful to say about the heartbreaking fires in southern California, but several people have asked so here's my input this morning:

IF YOU ARE IN AN EVACUATION ZONE: Take it seriously. Do what you're told. Don't sightsee. Assume you will never see your home again and pack accordingly (if you have time to pack at all). Seven years on, the things we miss most weren't the most valuable in terms of money, but in sentiment: family photos, keepsakes, heirlooms, memories. 

If you didn't prepare a "go bag" (and few do), grab your wallet/purse, birth certificate, passport, deeds, and insurance and other legal papers because you'll need them to rebuild your life. Computers and backups. Prescription meds. Eyeglasses. Charging cords for phones and laptops. Set up a safe meeting spot for everyone to gather. If you can, leave early to avoid the rush.

EDITED TO ADD: Here's a good idea from a Facebook commenter that I wish we'd done: If you have time, go around the inside and outside of your house and take a video of everything. It will help with insurance and other tasks later.

IF YOU HAVE LOST EVERYTHING: Take some time to gather your wits, then make a list. Every day, check things off that list and then, tomorrow, make a new one. 

Contact your insurance company. They probably already have a platoon of representatives in the area who will meet with you and may be able to cut a check on the spot. Register with Red Cross and FEMA. Get a FEMA number: that number will be a key to unlocking many services, resources and discounts. 

Get a P.O. box or ask a trusted friend to handle your mail, and submit a change-of-address form to the post office. 

Look out for scams, especially fake government websites. 

If you can get to your property, take photos of everything from every angle. If you can't get to your property, be patient. This is difficult; you want to go home. But there is really nothing you can do there and the authorities are making sure it's safe, searching for bodies, etc. It may be weeks before you get in. That's OK. 

Be willing to accept help. I can't tell you how many people after our fire said, "I don't need it, give it to someone who needs it more." Today, that someone is you. Take it. 

Don't make any rash decisions. Nothing needs to be done RIGHT NOW. You're in a marathon, not a sprint. Get something accomplished every day, but take it as easy on yourself as you can. 

Finally, I'll recommend three trusted Web resources:

After the Fire USA https://afterthefireusa.org/ is a great clearinghouse for all firestorm-related information and resources. I know the people who run it and they're the best.

United Policyholders https://uphelp.org/ is a nonprofit that can help you understand your insurance situation and fight for your rights to get the service you paid for. 

Cal Fire https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/ has excellent advice for both preparing for and preventing wildfires, and what to do afterward.

IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO LOST EVERYTHING: Your friends or loved ones may be out of touch for a while. Don't pester them, they have a lot on their plate. 

Ask them what they need and really listen. They probably don't want piles of clothes, or teddy bears, or pots and pans, or canned food from the back of your pantry. For the next few weeks they'll be living in a motel or a friend's couch and have nowhere to put that stuff.

What we really appreciated were gift cards to big-box stores like Target, Walmart, Safeway (and, later, Home Depot), which allowed us to buy what WE thought we needed. Say what you will about those companies, but they were open and had everything we wanted in one place. When I gave similar advice before, some people commented that "cash is king" and can be spent anywhere for anything. True! That's fine! I still think it's easier to carry a few cards in your pocket than a wad of bills, and safer to mail.

Honestly, Karen and I find it very hard to watch the news because we know what those folks are going through now, and what they'll be going through for the next months and years. It's too much. They'll get through it but it's not an ordeal I'd wish on anyone. 

As for the MAGAs who are gloating, laughing, and mocking fellow Americans without showing an ounce of empathy or compassion--especially the MAGA-in-Chief who's taking the opportunity to spew playground insults and uninformed idiocy--I wish they could take just a moment to reflect on how they became such terrible people. They won't, I know. They think they're the good guys. The worst villains always do.