Thank you for sharing your personal connection. Putting a real face on disaster helps make it heart felt. Your suggestions were helpful. Climate change must be dealt with personally and nationally….Charlotte
Very helpful column, Annette. This type of devastation is surreal. Another sad thing is that so many home insurance companies have pulled out of the state. So sorry about your friend’s loss. Just devastating.
My nephew and his wife had purchased a home in Asheville. They had barely gotten settled in when he realized the need to be closer to home due to health problems with his parents (my sister). They sold the home and moved to Hattiesburg a short while before Helene swept in. We are thankful for this but filled with sorrow for the people who lost everything. Your writing also reminded me that Charity Navigator has also posted a nice list of places one can donate to with confidence. I haven’t looked at your list, so it may be the same. There are several animal shelters listed. I saw a touching video of a firefighter walking around with a dog in his arms as though consoling him/her. They are true heroes. Glad you and your wife are okay.
Thank you so much, Linda. I'm glad your nephew and family left Asheville before the devastation, but I'm sure it still pains them. May they be well in their new home! Yes, there is a lot of work being done to rescue animals--so many had to leave them behind or can't get apartments with them. My friend has three cats that are with them in a hotel room with three teenagers and her husband. What a zoo!
Thank you for such a meaningful post, Annette. I live in Northern California, and the inescapable effects of climate change constantly knock on the door of my consciousness. I'll keep your friend, Sharon, in my heart as she and millions of others try to piece together a life now shattered by the results of human carelessness.
Thank you, Julie, It's going to be a long slow road to recovery. And than you for keeping my friend in your heart. It's so important for them to not be forgotten.
Thank you, Troy. Yes, it's one thing to hear about the devastation on the news--it's quite another on the other end of a phone line. My friend, her husband, three teenage boys, and three cats are safe in a hotel room, but lost everything except what they could put in their two cars. Horrible situation!
Heartbreaking Annette. Sharon, her family, and all fire victims are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for telling this personal connection to California’s firestorm and where we can donate.
You’re welcome. It makes the intensity of the tragedy so much more real when it’s affecting someone you know. It’s not just a new story—it’s thousands of people’s lives. Heartbreaking!
Thank you for sharing your personal connection. Putting a real face on disaster helps make it heart felt. Your suggestions were helpful. Climate change must be dealt with personally and nationally….Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte. I know you have a deep appreciation of the issues and are doing everything you can. Thank you for that!
Very helpful column, Annette. This type of devastation is surreal. Another sad thing is that so many home insurance companies have pulled out of the state. So sorry about your friend’s loss. Just devastating.
My nephew and his wife had purchased a home in Asheville. They had barely gotten settled in when he realized the need to be closer to home due to health problems with his parents (my sister). They sold the home and moved to Hattiesburg a short while before Helene swept in. We are thankful for this but filled with sorrow for the people who lost everything. Your writing also reminded me that Charity Navigator has also posted a nice list of places one can donate to with confidence. I haven’t looked at your list, so it may be the same. There are several animal shelters listed. I saw a touching video of a firefighter walking around with a dog in his arms as though consoling him/her. They are true heroes. Glad you and your wife are okay.
Thank you so much, Linda. I'm glad your nephew and family left Asheville before the devastation, but I'm sure it still pains them. May they be well in their new home! Yes, there is a lot of work being done to rescue animals--so many had to leave them behind or can't get apartments with them. My friend has three cats that are with them in a hotel room with three teenagers and her husband. What a zoo!
Thank you for such a meaningful post, Annette. I live in Northern California, and the inescapable effects of climate change constantly knock on the door of my consciousness. I'll keep your friend, Sharon, in my heart as she and millions of others try to piece together a life now shattered by the results of human carelessness.
Thank you, Julie, It's going to be a long slow road to recovery. And than you for keeping my friend in your heart. It's so important for them to not be forgotten.
I'm so sorry for your friend's loss, Annette - I'm glad you shared, we don't always get the personal connections and stories when disaster strikes.
Thank you, Troy. Yes, it's one thing to hear about the devastation on the news--it's quite another on the other end of a phone line. My friend, her husband, three teenage boys, and three cats are safe in a hotel room, but lost everything except what they could put in their two cars. Horrible situation!
Heartbreaking Annette. Sharon, her family, and all fire victims are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for telling this personal connection to California’s firestorm and where we can donate.
You’re welcome. It makes the intensity of the tragedy so much more real when it’s affecting someone you know. It’s not just a new story—it’s thousands of people’s lives. Heartbreaking!