Fires in Napa and Sonoma (Santa Rosa, Fairfield: safe, garage door, food)

[Mikala43]

I do know that Red Cross is not yet activated, HUD phone lines have more than an hour wait, and same with FEMA.

We are pretty sure this is just red tape problems, as no one was prepared for this.

I get tell you this, once I get confirmation of the mortgage companies stance.... I will be posting a new thread with a tirade at what they "offer" the people who lost homes in Harvey, Irma and these fires.

[MyNameIsBellaMia]

Originally Posted by Mikala43

I'm so very sorry. I was just writing that I can't imagine what it is like to have nothing. You wake up and it's all gone... pictures from childhood, memorabilia from family and those passed, the things you took so much time to pick out.... You have nothing.

I know it is "just" things and they can be replaced.... but some can't and it is what you chose to surround yourself with to make your safe nest.

I know that in this case, it was the dog who woke up my sister, they had just enough time to grab a few things.... the house was on fire before they left.

No, not everything can be replaced. The memories associated with the "things" are also gone. I lost everything in a wildfire 6 years ago. It was a culmination of a lifetime of "things" I had made by hand. Beautiful model train layouts. Needlework. Quilts. Lots and lots of hobbies, and those "things" can never be replaced.


These fires are beyond horrible. My heart breaks for every single person, and more so for those that lose pets. I lost 1 dog when it happened to me. I still have the one I was able to save. I love her more than life itself. We've been through so much together.

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsBellaMia

No, not everything can be replaced. The memories associated with the "things" are also gone. I lost everything in a wildfire 6 years ago. It was a culmination of a lifetime of "things" I had made by hand. Beautiful model train layouts. Needlework. Quilts. Lots and lots of hobbies, and those "things" can never be replaced.


These fires are beyond horrible. My heart breaks for every single person, and more so for those that lose pets. I lost 1 dog when it happened to me. I still have the one I was able to save. I love her more than life itself. We've been through so much together.

I'm sorry I didn't mean to that everything is replaceable, my point, and probably poorly made, is that some of those things cannot be replaced. I have a list in my head of things my sister cannot replace, butter molds from her grandmother who she loved so much.... he lost the last of his deceased wife's things...

Right now my their attitude is good. We are going with yay! New boat, new camping gear (finally) and anything else that will make them laugh. I told my sister that I am being emotional on her behalf because she sure as heck doesn't have the time...

I need to get started on her insurance paperwork.

[JGC97]

Donations ....... A lot of people outside the area are wanting to help by donating. Look in your area to see if businesses are accepting items. We have several businesses in our area who are accepting donations such as non-perishable food items, can openers, camp stoves, propane, blankets and pillows, boxes and duct tape, personal hygiene items, diapers, baby food and formula, new socks and underwear, duffel bags and suitcases, and books, toys and coloring supplies for children. Check with your area to see who is accepting.

Petaluma Community Center and volunteers there said they have enough supplies to last until Friday.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Mikala43

I do know that Red Cross is not yet activated, HUD phone lines have more than an hour wait, and same with FEMA.

We are pretty sure this is just red tape problems, as no one was prepared for this.

I get tell you this, once I get confirmation of the mortgage companies stance.... I will be posting a new thread with a tirade at what they "offer" the people who lost homes in Harvey, Irma and these fires.

The Oakland side of the Berkeley/Oakland neighborhood where my parents lived lost some homes in the Oakland hills fire. (Berkeley had fire engines on the Berkeley side of the city line, so those homes were spared.) Most of those homeowners fought the insurance companies, holding out for more, actually, then the home was worth. They insisted that the homes were of historical significance, as if it were historic landmarks that got burned down. So the settlement process dragged on for 2-3 years. In place of the wonderful period homes from the 30's that had been there, huge, garish, modernistic "dream homes" were built, completely out of character with the neighborhood.

I hope people are offered a reasonable price for rebuilding, and the claims are settled in a timely manner, so that lives can get back to normal.

[Mikala43]

So far my sister's insurance company has been VERY helpful and compassionate.

They told go and buy what you need and get yourself settled, save your receipts. They told her what to submit when she can (I am compiling renovation receipts in to a spreadsheet), told her pictures of personal belongings help and to write down everything she can think of. The are looking for house for them that allow pets, and they cutting an advance check of $25K.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Mikala43

So far my sister's insurance company has been VERY helpful and compassionate.

They told go and buy what you need and get yourself settled, save your receipts. They told her what to submit when she can (I am compiling renovation receipts in to a spreadsheet), told her pictures of personal belongings help and to write down everything she can think of. The are looking for house for them that allow pets, and they cutting an advance check of $25K.

That's so great that you're helping her, too! I imagine a lot of people are a little shell-shocked. Attending to those chores, and the record-keeping required, may be beyond them at this stage. She's lucky to have you.

[Tominftl]

These fires are devastating. I know a family who had to evacuate and they haven't heard if they have a house to go back to. That's the problem with California. Too many disasters. I'll take my chances with an occasional Hurricane.

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

That's so great that you're helping her, too! I imagine a lot of people are a little shell-shocked. Attending to those chores, and the record-keeping required, may be beyond them at this stage. She's lucky to have you.

I adore my sister and would do anything for her. I adore her pain in the ass BF.

When my husband died in 2007, she flew to Hawaii to be with for like a month, she took care of all kinds of stuff helping with funeral.

[Mikala43]

This site should give you answers when looking for info on loved ones, someone said you could look up addresses, but I haven't used it:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/vi...ewW1DH6neG1Sm0


Latest news on my sis: they may have to evacuate from the house they are staying due to fire threat. She is rushing back to get the dogs.