Fortunately, my family and I live at a safe distance (for now) from the many fires here in Southern California. Although the Cleveland National forrest is just behind our community, there is a huge firebreak between us and the forest. From time to time it does get very smoky (because we live South of Los Angeles, the Santa Ana winds have been blowing the smoke you may have seen on television our direction consistently) but so far no fires.
While going through the news this morning, I couldn’t help but notice that San Diego had thousands of evacuations going on because of the smoke and threat of fire in that area. Already it has been reported that 500 homes and about 120 businesses have been destroyed. And according to the article below some 250,000 folks have been forced from their homes with about 10,000 folks taking shelter at Qualcomm stadium. Now of course the words “evacuation” and “stadium” automatically initiated a mental Google search that brought up a similar evacuation back during hurricane Katrina where thousands of folks were forced to take shelter. Check out what happened at Qualcomm:
Civility Reigns at San Diego Stadium
By SCOTT LINDLAW
SAN DIEGO (AP) – Like Hurricane Katrina evacuees two years earlier in New Orleans, thousands of people rousted by natural disaster fled to the NFL stadium here, waiting out the calamity and worrying about their homes.
The similarities ended there, as an almost festive atmosphere reigned at Qualcomm Stadium.
Bands belted out rock ‘n’ roll, lavish buffets served gourmet entrees, and massage therapists helped relieve the stress for those forced to flee their homes because of wildfires.
“The people are happy. They have everything here,” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared Monday night after his second Qualcomm tour.
[SNIP]
Although anxieties ran high, the misery index seemed low as the celebrity governor waded through the mob. Scarcely a complaint was registered with him.
“Oooh, I got a picture!” shrieked Olivia Beard of Ocean Beach, one of hundreds who pressed toward Schwarzenegger with camera phones snapping.
[SNIP]
Of the more than 250,000 people forced from their homes, volunteer coordinators estimated that 10,000 took shelter at Qualcomm, home of the San Diego Chargers. Others camped out in hotels, with friends and family and in other shelters scattered throughout the city.
[SNIP]
Most people seemed happy for the free food and drink. A Hyatt hotel catered one buffet, offering chicken with artichoke hearts and capers in cream sauce, jambalaya and shredded-beef empanadas. (more…)
Although the threat was different, here you have an example of both local government and private sector resources working together to take care of citizens. From the way it sounds, the city had a disaster plan and with very little heads up were able to stick to it.
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