My friend just lost her house

[Beatlelvr]

She evacuated her beautiful mid century house in Altadena last night and came to my place, through tree branches all over the streets because of the freighteningly heavy winds. She didnt sleep all night, but just got word from a neighbor that her house is gone. I can't imagine going through such a tragedy. Making me rethink what to grab in an emergency.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. How horrifying! Thank goodness you're there to help her in this awful moment. nt

[Irish_Dem]

2. It's getting to the point we should all have a bug out bag.

A bag with enough to keep body and soul together in an emergency.
And know where we keep a bit of cash in the house.

[homegirl]

25. Don't forget

to take your house insurance with you! Invest in a fire box for all important documents.

[Irish_Dem]

26. Yes good tips.

[LauraInLA]

3. I'm so sorry for her loss and glad she has good friends like you.

[awesomerwb1]

4. That sucks. I have friends in that area.

They were fine and at home just south of Sierra Madre Bl. last night.

[SheltieLover]

5. I'm so saddened to hear this

Healing vibes on the way to you and your friend.

[JoseBalow]

6. ALWAYS a good idea to have an emergency plan, wherever you may live

https://www.ready.gov/

And everyone should have an emergency kit ready and accessible at a moment's notice.

These are uncertain times, stay safe!

[in2herbs]

7. I stepped outside my back door about 2 hours ago. There was a helicopter circling overhead about 1/8 mile over watching

a desert brush fire brewing. It has already reached the crest. Based on the flames I saw and the burned area, the fire is burning towards my direction. Can't see fire crews but that doesn't mean they're not there. Although a lot of our forestry crews are in CA.

There aren't the trees to feed the fire like occurs in CA. But it's windy here today.

[Lulu KC]

8. I am sorry

I just got word that an old friend lost his house in the Palisades. It was built in 1926, only house on the block. A home of many happy memories. He and his wife and dog made it out, then the wife hiked back in this morning and it was gone.

[barbtries]

9. I'm so sorry.

My cousins in Malibu lost everything in like 1960, and again in 2018 in the Woolsey fire. They are at risk right now.

It is a devastating loss.

[Joinfortmill]

10. So very sorry.

[BigmanPigman]

11. I got a great gift one year...

It was an emergency backpack from the Red Cross. Living in CA makes you plan for fires and earthquakes. I also added a few items like duct tape, cash, tools, plastic bags, etc. I have a list of what to take taped to my fridge. Ya never know?

[electric_blue68]

12. So sorry about your friend, other posters mentioning their losses, too.

[CousinIT]

13. I'm so sorry for your friend. This is just hideous!

She's lucky to have you there for her. She's really going to need it.

[Grammy23]

14. As bad as these events are, they do serve as an important reminder --

If you live where disasters have happened or are predicted to occur, get your plan in order. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, earthquakes, blizzards, heat waves and the like can be upon us, sometimes with little advance warning. The time to get a bug out bag together is way before you need it. You need time to get important papers and precious mementoes together in a bag or box suitable for quick evacuation. In disasters, often the last thing you will have is the luxury of time. So do it when you are not under stress. You will be so glad if the disaster comes your way and you are prepared to leave or seek shelter knowing some things will be spared and will be with you if needed.

Our hearts go out to the people in California who are in the midst of a terrible disaster. Let us hope that they’re able to get the fire under control soon so they can begin to get their lives back together.

[calimary]

29. This is a VERY important reminder. Life-saving, in fact.

For those with the blessing of safe distances from what everybody in SoCal is facing:
Be pro-active - NOW, when there’s the luxury of TIME to get your stuff AND your wits together. Hopefully you’ll never need to wish you‘d done it, cuz you’ll already have taken care of it.

[JustAnotherGen]

30. Good atuff

During Sandy and Irene my husband stuffed his wallet, papers, cash from our safe in my purse . . .just in case.

[niyad]

31. Years ago, I read that one should photograph/video all one's valuables,

documents, etc, put the pics on cd's (multiple copies) and send them to trusted friends/relatives, whoever, out of the area, as well as keeping a copy in a safe deposit box if you have one. Also, if possible, arrange for someone out of area to serve as a central contact.

[Upthevibe]

15. Beatlelvr.............

Firstly, I'm so sorry for your friend.... Additionally, I'm glad she's physically okay. She'll probably be in shock for a while. That's wonderful that you were able to take her in....

I've had a "go-bag" since the '94 Northridge Quake. It's got my important papers (passport, personal business paperwork, various of my writings, etc.) right by it. I also have it close to my baglet where I keep my meds. Then in my bag I have a change of clothes, flip flops and tennis shoes, old photo albums, cash, bottles of water, crackers, a couple of other easy to eat snacks. There's probably other stuff in there that I'm forgetting.

I'm ready to grab that bag in a moments notice (but I'm a major minimalist) and go! It's heartbreaking that people have lost generations of sentimental items.

Once again, I'm so sorry about your friend...

[DENVERPOPS]

16. And from 206-2020

Trump wasn't concerned with disasters anywhere in the U.S. Especially natural disasters.

He will be glad to get rid of FEMA and esp any help with anything that happens in a Blue State, starting with wildfires in California....

Just like in Covid when he didn't ship any PPE to Massachusetts and shipped THREE TIMES what DeSantis ordered for Florida...

[KitFox]

17. Oh mercy!

I am so sorry for you and your friend. This is so terrifying and devastating for all of those thousands and thousands of people. Thankfully she has a good friend in you to help her navigate this tragedy. Hoping you remain safe where you are.

[CaptainTruth]

18. So sorry! That has to be horrible.

[Alliepoo]

19. Oh no!

That’s so darn sad. I’m sorry for your friend. How good of you to be there for her. Such a terrible thing for those poor folks.

[Demovictory9]

20. So sad

[2naSalit]

21. Yikes!

I don't know if I know anyone in that area anymore but my best buddy has a sister in Calabassas.

Hugs to your friend and everyone there.

[Shambala]

22. Heartbreaking

Two friends of ours lost their houses and we haven't heard from two other friends who evacuated. It's heartbreaking. I don't know if true but I heard the winds were so severe that the fires couldn't be battled from the air.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

23. Digitize everything you want, like personal photos and keep a copy of the files in a somewhat distant location. . . nt

[IcyPeas]

24. It's devastating. My heart hurts for your friend and all those who have lost everything.

[BlueAllTheWay]

27. How Utterly Devastating

I've seen some of the news coverage and my heart goes out to all the folks having to leave their homes and also losing thier homes to the fire. Sending prayers their way.

[MomInTheCrowd]

28. IMPORTANT: Have her band together with others who have the same insurance

The insurance companies will try to divide and conquer. It is very important to form cohesive groups, work together, enlist attorneys if possible.

Start making lists of the items you lost.
1. Imagine walking through your house and opening closets, cabinets, drawers, garage, sheds, front porch, etc., to jog your memory.
2. Look at photos to jog your memory.
3. Walk the isles of big box stores (tools, furniture, household items, food, instruments, etc) with a notebook to jog your memory.
4. If you had an audio or other collection go to something like Amazon and peruse alphabetically or by genre to compile a list.
5. Remember the oft-used and very missed items in your junk drawers!
6. Itemize your landscaping.

(And if you get reimbursed for any of this stuff buy local or have a local business order it for you

[augyboston]

32. My son and his family lost their home as well.

My son, his wife and my two grandsons lost their home as well. They're devastated and the boys are so young they have no idea what's going on.

They had a beautiful 1930's Spanish style home in Pacific Palisades. Their entire neighborhood is gone.

Our hearts are broken for them, but we are so grateful that they're safe with family.

[LoisB]

34. I am so sorry.

[LoisB]

33. I am so sorry for your friend. I am glad she is safe.