Devastation in California's Wine Country
By divalounger
@divalounger (5849)
United States
October 10, 2017 6:54pm CST
Northern California has been burning now for the past two days. We have always been dry and even with a good rain fall last winter, we have been as dry as bone. Two nights ago, the winds really picked up in the hills surrounding Napa Valley, and over 20,000 people have been evacuated.
This reminds me of the Oakland Hills fire 25 years ago--the devastation is immense--15 confirmed deaths, 100 people missing still and thousands of homes burned. This is also home to some of the worlds best wine makers--
Luckily, everyone I know up there has been accounted for--the wind was so fierce that many just got out without having time to take anything with them.
Have any of you been involved in this kind of fire before? What would you take with you if you had time to gather anything--and how does anyone recover from this? FEMA will make loans available to rebuild, but even so, insurance generally doesn't cover an act of God--and so I suspect there will be little insurance coverage available--
12 people like this
12 responses
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
11 Oct 17
@LadyDuck I suspect that would be what we would grab as well--wallet and maybe cell phone--they we still evacuating as of last night
2 people like this
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
11 Oct 17
@LadyDuck No--I think not as well--Last night they were evacuating one area that had not cell service or landlines as the phone lines had burned down--the community around them brought up every vehicle they could find and took the people out that way
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
11 Oct 17
@divalounger When you rush out because you smell the smoke and you fear for your life you do not really care to take something with you.
2 people like this
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
11 Oct 17
I would grab some shoes, my cell phone and my husband--although not in that order--hurricanes are awful too--this has been a difficult couple of months!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
11 Oct 17
@divalounger Depending on how much warning I had, I'd pack a few things, too. This has been an awful few months in so many ways. Stay safe!
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
16 May 19
I remember this..so very very sad.
1 person likes this
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
17 May 19
We recently brought home a dog rescued from the Carr fire up north--he was so thin, and he needed surgery on both back legs--9 months later he is doing great--so sometimes there are happy endings
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@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
20 May 19
@divalounger Yes very happy that is
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@divalounger (5849)
• United States
11 Oct 17
@Jackalyn me too! Especially the older people from the rest homes up there and the hospitals.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
15 Jul 19
This fire was so devastating, What I always find amazing about the news is for weeks we hear nothing else but now for two years we hear nothing at all about how the area is recovering
1 person likes this
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
15 Jul 19
Recovery is slow--and just about the time it really gets rolling we are facing another fire season. Each year seems worse
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Oct 17
I live in the Chicago area and we get plenty of rain, never have I been in a situation like that. I hope all are safe in California and they can get those fires out soon.
1 person likes this
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
11 Oct 17
@fishtiger58 me too! They were evacuating the VA rest home up in Yountville last night. It was s sad to see all these old veterans being uprooted
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@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
11 Oct 17
@divalounger But as long as they are safe that's the main thing.
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@divalounger (5849)
• United States
12 Oct 17
@peavey I think it is--so many people I know are on standby right now--waiting to hear about whether and when they will have to evacuate
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@divalounger (5849)
• United States
11 Oct 17
@peavey I can't imagine it either and as I watch the news I wonder how people can start over again--whether it is a fire or a hurricane or an earthquake--
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
10 Oct 17
terrible. its like our hurricane. no one is covered for a lot of things and some lost so much. even lives. makes you wonder whats happening in our world here
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
11 Oct 17
@bunnybon It feels like a crap shoot in some ways--you pay your mortgage and insurance and pray that nothing will happen--were you ok in the hurricane?
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@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
11 Oct 17
@divalounger i made it through but a couple times not so sure i would
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@LeaPea2417 (36438)
• Toccoa, Georgia
26 Mar 18
That is sad what happened. No, I have never been involved in a fire like that.
@just4him (306113)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
11 Oct 17
I've seen it on the weather site. It's just terrible. I don't know what I would take with me on a moments notice. Clothes and a toothbrush.
@divalounger (5849)
• United States
11 Oct 17
@JudyEv what a great idea! Almost all of my photos are on my computer and I would hate to lose those
1 person likes this
