My 68 yr old sister and her adult daughter lost everything as did virtually all 47,000 folks who lived in Paradise, CA.
That said, incredibly, my sister was given a very early warning to evacuate by a fireman friend at 8:30 am. He lived closer to the edge of town and could see what was coming in advance. They were called almost by coincidence as the fireman's daughter just happened to be texting my sister's granddaughter.
The city did not make an official evacuation order until late that day so my sister's early warning came about 8 hours before most others. Even with the early warning, my sister said that there were only 3 roads out of town and the line of cars were bumper to bumper as they watched the huge fire in the distance get closer and closer.
Horrifically, some of the folks, who tried to leave later that day, were caught in the line of cars and burned to death.
I am a believer in God and angels who look over us.
My sister and her family lost two homes and everything in them, but someone divine absolutely watched over my sister and her daughter's family that morning and I thank God for that.
That said, incredibly, my sister was given a very early warning to evacuate by a fireman friend at 8:30 am. He lived closer to the edge of town and could see what was coming in advance. They were called almost by coincidence as the fireman's daughter just happened to be texting my sister's granddaughter.
The city did not make an official evacuation order until late that day so my sister's early warning came about 8 hours before most others. Even with the early warning, my sister said that there were only 3 roads out of town and the line of cars were bumper to bumper as they watched the huge fire in the distance get closer and closer.
Horrifically, some of the folks, who tried to leave later that day, were caught in the line of cars and burned to death.
I am a believer in God and angels who look over us.
My sister and her family lost two homes and everything in them, but someone divine absolutely watched over my sister and her daughter's family that morning and I thank God for that.
