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How To Survive With Disasters All Around You
A view of the LA Fires from 15 minutes away
Last week, around 4:00 p.m., I received an evacuation order. While I live near the Eaton Fire in Glendale, it would take a lot for the flames to get here. I felt relatively safe but was on constant high alert.
The warning was a mistake; everyone in Los Angeles County received it, but I didn’t know this and reacted viscerally. Every nerve in my body was ignited; my teeth were chattering as if I was dealing with a sudden cold snap, and I couldn’t stop shaking.
In less than 48 hours, my power went out; I’d experienced the fury of the Santa Ana winds doing their best impersonation of a hurricane-earthquake hybrid, seen angry smoke from both close and miles away, and heard the reports of loss of life, homes, and city streets demolished only a few miles away from me.
I’m extremely anxious on a good day and am no stranger to fear. My psychic friend once remarked how comfortable I was living with my fear, but the warning, on top of everything, put me on overload. Fear moved from being in my periphery to commanding my full attention.
Not knowing what to do first, I went on a text chain to see if my friends in the 818 area code had also gotten it.
