Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Okay, this is NOT meant as a "woe is me" story. But our family has recently been impacted by the California "Camp Fire". Everything is lost and most of what used to be our town lays in ashes. It might be weeks before we can even go visit the pile of ashes we used to call home. And it may be YEARS before the town returns to some state of normalcy again. The good news is myself and my family escaped the blaze with the clothes on our backs, and not much more. Thank goodness to all the generous people like the Elks club that somehow had clothing and personal items including blankets to get us thru the 1st couple of cold nights.

I guess the wisdom of 20/20 hindsight, and what I wish to impart on all the hogs here is to at LEAST review your current insurance coverage. Increase it much more than you think you might ever need. The limits I had on my policy will never cover the replacement value of my worldly possessions. Every evening when I try to sleep, I review all the things that need to be done to get thru the next day. My mind drifts off to things that I have lost and may likely never recover. I'm not only talking about my camera gear (cries) but every picture I've ever taken stored on my NAS drive at home, every tool in my toolbox, the 4 Einstein Flash units and countless accessories including my D810, D7100, GoPRO, and SX50-HS......and the lenses (Cries harder). Even worse are the sentimental items I cant replace such as my Fathers Rings and watches. Wow, the list goes On and On. My point is: Take stock of what you own. Consider if it were all taken away in the middle of the day, and all you had was your cell phone and the clothes on your back. Do you have the coverage you THINK you have? Can you even access your bank accounts if your computer was destroyed and your list of usernames and passwords kept in the drawer were also gone.

We all get complacent, and think it'll never happen to me. Wake up. it does occasionally happen.

Once again, this isn't meant as a "woe is me" rant, but think of how your life can be turned upside down in a moments notice. Especially when you get a little older and closer to retirement.

Dirtmama834 Loc: Hurricane, Utah

Oh my goodness I am truly sorry that you are going through such a horrible tragedy. Thank God you and your family are okay. My prayers are with you.

mcmama

Thank you for you post and sharing your ordeal. You’re right. We never think it will happen to us. By the grace of God, so far that’s true for me and my family.

Living in the heart of earthquake country, we’ve taken precautions to ensure, after such an event, we’d financially be okay. I’ve listed serial numbers of all electronics, taken pictures of any musical cds still in my collection, etc., and I check our insurance coverage every year to make sure it’s enough to rebuild/buy again, and to house us in the interim.

I have all my passwords, insurance info, etc., on my Cloud. Should everything be lost, that information will always be accessible.

I, again, thank you for your post, and admire your strength. I hope you’ll be able to update us to your situation as you find the time and energy.

Dana

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

My prayers are with you also. I think the key words are...we all get complacent, thinking it will never happen to me.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

you are 100% correct. I have friends who lost everything but the clothes on their bodies, and a young pal burned to death in fires here in Victoria. I feel very sad for you ...all of the people affected in CAL!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Oh my God, what an awful experience - I am glad you’re alive, but sooooo sorry for your huge loss - I cannot even begin to imagine...

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Condolences.

How did this fire cause such a huge holocost so fast that people couldn’t gather up at least a few important things? And then there are all those who weren’t as fortunate as you being able to escape?

So sorry.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

its crazy in so many ways. I heard on the news (3 of us huddled around my cell phone) that the fire was moving at a rate of a football field per minute. Unfortunately the gridlocked traffic of 30,000 people trying to get out of town on basically 2 main roads with fire swirling around them just wasn't adequate. Sadly many perished, and I fear theres many more to come in the days and weeks ahead. There are so many people unaccounted for. They may or may not be in some camp, or shelter somewhere. In many cases the authorities find partial Skeletal remains and have to resort to DNA testing to try and match their ID. A Lot of elderly disabled folks found in the charred remains of their homes or cars. Its just total insanity, but everyone is doing what they can. I think at my age, I've gotten a little discouraged with the general kindness of mankind. But believe me when I say, there are fantastic and giving people out there that are just looking to help without any recognition.

I never thought a populated city such as Paradise, Ca could have been so devastated sans the dropping of an atomic bomb.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Thank you for the prayers Dirtmama834 We appreciate it. Our safety far outweighs and personal property lost. Things can be replaced someday.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Dana, I only wish I thought things out as well as you have. I thought I was smarter than I was I guess. Hopefully, if one person eliminates the hassle and grief we're going thru, this will be worth it.

Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Thank you Ched49, we accept all prayers !

Be smarter than me okay?

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Dancers, Thank you. Very sad to hear of the lives lost here and all over the world from disasters. I guess Fire, Volcanos, Tsunami's, Tornados etc. it doesn't matter, they can all be so devastating.

-Gary

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

Thanks TriX, unfortuntely, I'm just beginning to imagine. Its just starting to really sink in.

-Gary

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

and they say "God's in his heaven, alls right with the world"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I don't think so!

one shot Loc: Pisgah Forest NC

How generous of you to think of others as you go through such a difficult time. Your attitude will help you greatly. I hope recovery goes well for you and those around you.