For most Americans it’s shocking to turn on the TV and see the coverage of California burning. As of this morning, flames had consumed more than 1,300 homes, 100 businesses and 80 other buildings, damaged another 400 structures and threatened 7,200 residences, 2,400 businesses and 450 other properties, according to the state fire protection agency. Over 500,000 people have been evacuated!
Where are all of these people going to go? It’s mind boggling to think about that many people being told to leave. Evacuation centers are full, it’s hard to find a hotel or motel, people who have pets may not be allowed in a center. It’s heart wrenching to see this happening to so many people. In some ways it reminds me of Hurricane Katrina except California is much better prepared than Louisiana ever was.
I heard one reporter say that when you are told to evacuate you have 10-15 minutes to collect your belongings and get out. What would you take? I saw one lady carrying out her desktop computer which I thought was odd. For me it would come down to the basics, my purse which contains ID, money and credit cards. Poco, food and water for him, any other food I could quickly grab since most likely I would be stuck in my car for a long time. My cell phone obviously. The jewelry that I always have on, watch and wedding rings.
I have an internet friend that lives out there. He’s often said he couldn’t take the blizzards, long winters, and tornados in the spring where I live. Mudslides, earthquakes, and the Santa Ana winds/ fires don’t sound too appealing either where I’m sitting. I guess it comes down to what we’re use to and we adapt to our surroundings and environment.
My heart goes out to the residents of California and to the brave fireman and rescue personnel who’s worked tirelessly for days. Wish I could send them my rain.
Technorati Tags: California burning – Santa Ana winds – fires – evacuations
Latest update from www.usatoday.com
Evacuation of more than 350,000 houses, encompassing nearly 950,000 people based on average household size, including 10,000 evacuees huddled in QualComm stadium. 600 square miles burned, 1300 homes destroyed. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the flames were threatening 68,000 more homes.
Here’s what I would grab:
My pup
My wallet
My address book
My laptop computer, which has my screenplays on it (the ones I am trying to sell)
Rhea I think your list is pretty much identical to mine…I would grab my two pugs, my wallet, and the desktop computer…if I had time
cause I have valuable info on here…reminds me to save it somewhere in case something happens.
15 min to pick up their belongings? .. oh my ..
We all surely keep them in our thoughts (and prayers).
suddenly I just remember those newborn babies (and their moms), I hope they have a safe place to go.
I just emailed a cousin who lives in the area. She, too, is worried about the fires. When the wind changes its direction their house would be …
ps. we have had too much rains here as well. would happily send them to California.
I live in Los Angeles and we’re in the middle of it all, watching in agony. This morning I couldn’t help but think of what I’d do if I were in their situation. I wouldn’t even know where to start! I live in a duplex with two garages that my family both occupy and we have so many things! For sure, money, passport, important records, my dog Princess!, and other necessities are on the top of my list. But if I were to see my whole house burn down with everything I wasn’t able to bring… I can’t even imagine it–it’s my whole life in there!
Throughout the day I kept hoping that it would just rain and rain.. but then that’d bring mudslides… which is also a big no-no. I hope the people being affected by the fires are brought to safety and that these fires will be wiped out soon.
Just today my professor canceled class b/c of the San Diego fires… I hope he’s ok as well as everyone else.
My heart goes out to all those affected. It’s front page news on all our papers and web news portals … An exodus not seen since Katrina!
Off topic: I notice you have a blogrush widget, how is it going with this? I attempted to register my American Interests blog a week ago but it was declined. My blog does not meet the strict quality guidelines. I was told to :
1. Re-register in 30 days after taking steps to improve the quality of the blog and
2. Remove the widget from my blog.
I sent an email on two occasions stating that in fact the blog does meet all the Quality Guidelines & Criteria as noted on the terms of service page, but they have not replied …
Go figure?
Rhea & Matthew – I think our pets are an essential for so many people, leaving them behind is unthinkable.
Footprints – yes Moms, babies, the elderly, hospitals, nursing homes that had to be evacuated is so sad. Fortunately CA seems very prepared at handling a disaster of this magnitude. I hope your cousin remains safe.
Paula – I can only imagine the fear of those living close to the fires. I guess many already have thought about “what to take” and have it packed ready to go if need be. I wish you well….be safe.
Ottavio - let’s just hope the exodus ends soon and the winds stop. Thank you for your well wishes from Australia. About blogrush, I just added it today so have no opinion as of yet. About your blog being denied…it certainly cannot be the content. I thought I read it’s only offered in the US at this stage of development. Don’t hold me to that though will have to go back and check. Will let you know.
Elaine, it is very sad for the families who have lost homes. I’m with you, though… The fires and mudslides don’t sound appealing for me. I don’t like tornadoes, but I think I’ll stick with what I know, you know??
I guess it depends on what a person holds important, as to what thing they will bring with them at times like these. As for me, I would definitely grab my kids and Rob
, and probably diapers and necessities for the baby. Probably important papers… I have to say, though… Computers don’t come cheap, and I go to college online. If I already had the kids out, I would be tempted to bring my puter, too… Class goes on, whether I’m there or not… I can see how taking a computer would seem odd to some, but who knows what some people have to do on their computers. 
Because of the possibility of hurricanes, we’re always *sort of* prepared.
My list pretty much echoes that of everyone else:the dog, the cat, important documents/passports. Sure, the computer would be tempting, as would other personal property. But in 15 minutes?!
We used to worry about winter weather,the driving on snow and ice, etc, now it’s hurricane season (though it is admittedly been quiet).
Everything is a trade-off.
I would take my hubby for sure, my health card, my bank card, and my photo album as it holds a lot of memories and also has a printed out list of my friends phone numbers in it as well as my on line email friends addy’s
I know we had a flood last year and much of the stuff we could replace ( thanks insurance) but some of the pictures of my kids when they were real small we could not save.
Travel light and get as far away from the danger as possible.
And don’t forget to thank a fireman
Don’t wait for that 10-15 minute notice. If there is even the slightest chance the fire will head your direction, go ahead and pack. Take clothes and bottled water if you have it. I’d be calling that guy I saw on Good Morning America a couple of months ago that has invented a way to protect your house from this type of fire.
Darla, I’m with you. Why wait until the last moment. My cousin and her hubby have been evacuated.
Mary-Anne, in these days of men bashing your plan to take your husband just made me laugh. Thanks.
Dad sent this link to a very telling photo: http://contentzdnet.com/2346-9595_22-171828.html
I’ve been too busy with class to turn on the tv. Your numbers were interesting… I’ve not been paying attention. A tornado once hit our area… I was most concerned for our dog and our photos.
Interesting question. Can I take more than I can carry?
This has been such a heartbreaking situation. To answer your question – I would take my animals (two cats and a dog), my laptop and photo albums, important ID, a few clothes, and a quilt that my mother made when she was a little girl.