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In 2020, the Silverado fire broke out near our city. At the time, I couldn’t imagine that fire would threaten our home because it would have to burn a large part of our town to get to us. Surely, the firefighters would have it under control before there was mass destruction. Then, the Palisades and Eaton fires this year destroyed thousands of structures fueled by low humidity and strong winds. I now realize we might not have been as safe as I thought we were.
Lately, I’ve wondered how I would react if we lost our home and personal belongings in a disaster. Would it break me — financially and emotionally? I don’t think so. However, you never really know until it happens to you.
If a fire destroyed our home, our homeowners association has insurance that would rebuild the exterior structure and the common areas. We would be responsible for the interior and our personal belongings. We have enough insurance that I believe we could rebuild without taking a huge out-of-pocket hit.
My wife and I strive to live a minimalist lifestyle. We don’t have a lot of belongings. We don’t own expensive luxury items. Rachel doesn’t like wearing jewelry, but she does love nice clothes. Most of her clothes come from stores like Talbots and J.Jill, not high-end clothiers. She also loves sales, so she rarely pays full price. Our home is not jam-packed with furniture and electronic gadgets. We drive two economy cars, 2020 Honda Civic and 2007 Honda Fit, so it wouldn’t be a hardship to replace them.
I’m not attached to our stuff, but if there was a fast approaching fire, and we only have a few minutes to evacuate, there are few things that I would grab in a hurry. I would take our medication, cash we stashed for emergencies, and my mother’s old jewelry box that contains my dad’s wedding ring and some of our important documents, such as passports and birth certificates. I would also snatch an old family photo of my parents, sister, and me, with our dog sitting in front of the Christmas tree. It was taken when my dad was trying out the timer on his new camera. It’s the only photo I have of us together with the family dog. At the time, I was just starting college.
As long as Rachel and I can survive a disaster, that’s what matters most to me. Losing Rachel is the one thing that could break me, not the stuff we own.
If you only had a few minutes to evacuate your home in a disaster, what would you take?
There’s a saying about gas tanks in cars – ‘half full is empty’. I keep mine topped up. In the event of widespread electrical outage or supply system failure, gas pumps may not work.
Now I live in a CCRC I don’t have to worry about the building. I have insurance on the contents. Most are replaceable, and while I would be sorry to lose the jade dragon I bought in Shanghai in 1997, it weighs too much for an evacuation. Generally, my location is too far west for bad weather coming from the east, and too far east for bad weather coming from the west, although one hurricane did come through in 1996 (I was out of the country).
The fire alarm went off (again) last week. I didn’t see any signs of fire but I did leave the building, taking my phone, my iPad and my handbag (containing my wallet with credit cards, my drivers license and not much cash). If I had thought there was an actual fire I would have added my passport and the backup hard drive for my main computer.
Given more time I would add my expired passports, my travel journals, my (minimal) medications and some clothes. My naturalization certificate and other vital documents are in a safety deposit box at my bank.
In 1996 we lived through Hurricane Fran in Raleigh, too. Fire is not a huge threat in this area. In my particular case, when there is a forecast for severe wind, rain, or tornado, I worry about the beautiful but massive oak trees adjacent to our home. If they were to fall in one direction, all we lose is power. If they fall in the opposite direction, we lose a big chunk of our house.
I was fortunate in 1996. A very large limb fell off one of my three Carolina pine trees. Through my neighbors’ roof…. The pine trees weren’t removed by the builder, but not being a fan of Carolina pines I had them removed after Fran. (I kept several other trees.)
I would include Cash, at least one 9 mm handgun with associated magazines, and a .556 AR or 9mm Carbine, again with associated magazines, our “Grey Metal Box” which is the box containing all our legal docs, passports, etc.) our Cats (if at all possible,) my wife’s jewelry pouch (which is in the same safe as my guns, cash & grey box,) our Meds and our three “Go Bags.” Last we would add a portable 2000 Watt Portable Solar Sowered Generator and a tote containing food and water for 2 weeks, and emergency lights, radios, a stove and cooking utensils.
The “Go Bags” contain 3 days food & water, each, medical supplies, assorted emergency tools, etc. and sleeping bags, contained in backpacks. One of the three bags is for our animals. They are in the same room as the Safe. We would evacuate in our SUV, since it is the larger of our two vehicles and I would not want to separate in order to “save” my wife’s 19 year old car.
We lived in Florida when we were in our late 20s and early 30s, so we were aware of Hurricanes. We also lived in TX for 25 years, so tornados and hurricanes were both part of our weather. Planning for emergencies is not something new. We even have two suitcases with clothes, underwear, shoes, jackets, toiletries, etc. permanently packed. I just changed out the clothes in mine, recently, since I have lost @60 pounds in the last 16 months. (On purpose.)
With the two rows of rear seats down in our Hyundai Palisades, the suitcases, tote, portable generator (inside an emp bag) gun cases, Go Bags and two cat carriers all fit in the rear of our vehicle.
Like your reserve parachute…you are glad you have it and hope you don’t need it.
If you are planning to set up housekeeping in the wilds, shouldn’t you also take a tent?
The wife and dog.
Having had recent experience when evacuating due to fires in California, I’m happy to relate that we were out of our house with important papers (ready to go in a carryall), computer backup files, ipad, phones and chargers, jewelry, passports, ID’s, medicine and the family cat in about 30 minutes.
Living in an earthquake and fire prone area, we have prepared for this day for years, hoping that it would never occur. That said, there are a few things we might have done differently: 1) have some idea where you are going to, 2) let immediate family know that you are OK and where you are going (hint: nearby hotels quickly fill up), 3) we should have taken both cars, and 4) we had only a small amount of cash on hand when we went out the door and power was being cut in a wide area around us..
Our house survived, but many friends lost their homes and a lifetime of memories and mementos they had accumulated. The houses that were lost (many 100+ years old) can never be replaced, along with years of family treasures. The latter has motivated us to pass on more of our family treasures while we can and hope they will survive a little longer.
Thanks Dennis for making us think about this.
1. Our Meds 2. My laptop, it has our entire life on it, as of our last move, I put all documents from our 4 drawer file cabinet on PDF’s along with 30,000 photos, all Financials, and much more. 3. All the Cash 4. Wallet
First thing, I’d have to decide real fast how much I believe that safe is truly “fireproof.”
Many years ago I began scanning all bills and important documents. Everything including passport info, tax returns, bills, important photos, insurance papers, asset lists, etc. is on a laptop and a backup hard drive. Ditto for an internet jetpack. My wallet, passport, smart phone etc. is in a murse. I’d grab the spouse and these items which I carry in a small bag.
Growing up my cousins lived in the LA fire zones. Each kid was allowed one box to put in there whatever they wanted to take. They had a carry on suitcase for clothes. Having to do that their entire childhood made all three of them not be collectors of a pile of stuff. And all 3 of them moved out of CA.
On a personal level I’d take cats and enough of their necessary stuff I wouldn’t need to find a store immediately, the money, computer, important papers, photos, etc. people have already mentioned. Enough clothes for a week, sleeping bag/pillow and camp pad or similar for the weather (I have a minivan and I’d dump the seats), a box of food I could cook on camp stove and a pan to do so (and matches), water, and a cooler with whatever I happened to have that could fit. Given time and space I’d pull a few pictures from the wall, a couple of knicknacks, and give time and space anything on the “second priority” list that would fit. Stuff can be replaced but memories do matter so I would include some sentimental things that couldn’t be replaced.
We watched the Marshall Fire (2021) and a fire near NOAA burn from our house. Pets and meds are our highest priority, but we have four go bags packed at all times. If we have time, we have identified three or four hanging pictures to take that have sentimental value. However, we want to get out early even before evac notices because we know the roads will be packed, and we have digitized all important documents and photos just in case we are not there when the fire breaks out.
My wallet, glasses, and the pets. If it’s winter, a coat if I left one next to the door.
We also have a lot of art, by me, family, and friends. It’s unique, meaningful, has no resale value, and couldn’t be replaced. But there’s too much. Maybe I’d grab the small paintings by my grandmother hanging in the front hall because they’d be accessible on the way out.
Fortunately, I have had been in no emergency situations this bad, but when I’ve been in real emergencies, you just go or drop everything and help. He who hesitates is lost.
I wish this never happens.
I have a bag with the important documents that aren’t available online. There’s no jewelry or photos in it, but several family members have duplicates of my oldest photos. Even the few jewelry pieces that I treasure, I would leave behind – many days I wear my husband’s and my wedding bands that I had welded together and put on a chain, so I would grab that if I’m not wearing it. I had a new wedding band created with his fingerprint and always wear that. So that’s it plus a change of clothes.
In March 2022 a wildfire came to within 0.25 mile of my house. I found myself scrabbling under duress to figure out what to grab and take. When things settled down a few weeks later, I created 3 “GoBags” – a one-day, a one-week and a one-month and keep them filled with the time-relevant stuff that I’d need to comfortably set up housekeeping in a hotel or friend’s guest room.
What amazed me was just how long it took to create each of those bags – a month of ponderings. So it certainly shouldn’t be left to the last minute. Make your GoBag now or in the alternative a list of what you need to assemble under considerable stress.
Thanks for your thoughts. First time poster. After the craziness of 9/11 and covid here in NYC, I put together a ‘go to’ bag with $200 cash, copies of birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, flashlight with xtra batteries, change of clothes, foil blanket, plastic rain poncho, wind up radio that can act as solar charger for the phone. At the last minute, I’d also grab my phone, meds and dog. I am open to suggestions for additional items but am limited to what I can carry.
Important docs and photos are in the cloud, so unless the intrnet dies, they will be preserved no matter what happens to my home
Denise,
Good point about documents and photos stored in the cloud.
A credit card is handy in any sort of emergency.
I’d make sure Connie was down the stairs and out as walking is very difficult.
Next our phones and iPads and hope the 300 pound safe in one closet is as fireproof as it claims.
Then I hope we can get the cars out of the garage under the building.
“Next our phones and iPads and hope the 300 pound safe in one closet is as fireproof as it claims.”
I mentioned to my daughter who lives in Orange county that she should probably get a locking fire box like we have. She told me that after the most recent fires she saw pictures of melted fire boxes.
I was just thinking about this when the fires in Southern California were raging.
1) Dogs (in my case, I’m counting all four dogs as 1 item).
2) Dog scrapbooks. I have seven scrapbooks filled with all the photos, title certificates, awards, etc. that all of my dogs have ever won. Many of my fondest memories are documented in those books.
3) My purse.
4) My Chromebook.
5) My phone. The only phone number I have memorized at this point belongs to my husband. Without my phone, I’d be stuck using email to get a hold of anyone else.
We created a top 5 list a couple of years ago that is taped to the inside of the office cabinet. However, it would be good to think it through more. (I have a backpack for the last four in our office.)
Dennis, I’ve enjoyed your articles over the years and often wonder if we live in the same ZIP code given how you describe where you live.
That Silverado fire was a unique one and the extreme winds that day had me wondering if it would advance deeper into our city.
I actually did pack a box that day. I gathered a laptop, charging cables, battery power supply, basic health records, credit card, bank, utility, and insurance info as well as a couple of mementos and photo books created for our family (we also have a treasure trove of old photos on the cloud).
Most of these items are filed close at hand and can be assembled quickly. Glad the box never had to leave the house that day!
Thanks for the comments. When a friend of ours was told to evacuate, I also packed a few things that day. She doesn’t live too far from us.
I’d grab the cat, my laptop, and Chrissy…… not necessarily in that order.
Dan,
I’m glad you would take your cat. You would think everyone would take their pet, but I’m not sure about that. When I was working, a lady called my office asking to talk to Howard, a coworker. I told her he no longer worked here. She said he was renting a house from her, and when he moved, he left his dog tied to a tree in the backyard, and she didn’t know what to do with it. People can sometimes be cruel to animals.
Our niece lost her (rental) home to the Palisades fire. She got one kitty out, but was unable to grab the other. Once allowed back into the neighborhood, she found kitty number two, alive, near the house.
Dennis, this is really a good post. Very important to think about this in advance of an emergency.
It would devastate me to lose my cats. A friend lost his cat in a house fire (it wouldn’t come out from under the bed and he couldn’t get it, he left only when the fire entered the bedroom) and he sat outside hearing it cry until it died. Hopefully of smoke inhalation and not by being burned alive. I can’t imagine having to go through that.
I couldn’t imagine living through something like that. I read these cat comments while my cat sits next to me. He is my buddy and therapy pet. He shares his time in both my wife’s lap and mine every day. He also likes to let us know when it’s time to get up in the morning.
We live in a high risk fire area in the hills west of Austin, and while wildfires have always been on our minds, the recent disastrous ones in L.A., where we have family, have really made an impression.
I have an “evacuation list” organized by rooms which lists what we should try to take, in order of priority. How much of it we end up taking would be determined by how much time we have and the capacity of our cars.
But, like Jonathan, top of the list would be our laptops. I also have many old fashioned hard copy files, and a bunch of cardboard boxes in the attic in which I could transport them. I just hope there’s enough time to do that.
If I had the presence of mind, I’d grab my laptop and three oil paintings that I especially love. Why the laptop? It’s the gateway to much of my life — digitized photos, my writing, key documents, financial accounts and more.