news LA Wildfires (and other disasters)

[Dreambiscuit 9,873]

This thread is primarily about the wildfires currently devouring the Los Angeles area.

I live in Anaheim, CA, and so far I can see the wildfires in the distance about 25-30 miles away. Are there any California ponies here affected by the fires? Please share your experiences.

And for those who are NOT in the area, have you ever been in the path of natural (or unnatural) disasters? What did you do to protect yourself? Did you evacuate, dig-in or do something else to protect yourself? Let’s get into the details! I think this could be helpful to everyone.

[TheRockARooster 51,520]

I'm happy that you're safe, Dreamy. 

I also wanna say that I hope you all who are in or around the area keep yourselves safe and follow all the instructions that you need to.

[Comp 175]

My family is also around Orange County and the IE. They were complaining about the poor air quality all around and even had some events canceled. It's crazy out there!

[Fluttershutter 2,489]

1 hour ago, Dreambiscuit said:

And for those who are NOT in the area, have you ever been in the path of natural (or unnatural) disasters? What did you do to protect yourself? Did you evacuate, dig-in or do something else to protect yourself? Let’s get into the details! I think this could be helpful to everyone.

Around here the only natural disasters are tornadoes. (Until Yellowstone explodes. ) I was really scared of them back when I lived in a trailer. There's really nothing you can do there except hope to land in Oz. In a house of course you should go to the basement or the center of the house if there's no basement.

[Dreambiscuit 9,873]

@Fluttershutter Tornadoes are the scariest natural disasters, (for me). I've experienced two back in the day, and got through okay, but even a trip to Oz can't make that scare worthwhile. Now the big question; is it better to open the house windows (slightly, to equalize pressure) during a tornado, or not? This question has been going around for years. 

[Crypty Scribbles 5,034]

Hello, @Dreambiscuit.

I live in wooded area and wildfire risk exists here every summer. People are making firebreak lines - areas with no trees nor grass to stop wildfire and protect their settlements. Usually just cutting trees and plowing grass.

I wish you a good luck to avoid this disaster.

Edited 20 hours ago by Crypty Scribbles

[Mandalagan 232]

i dont live in america but i live in philippines and yes i already experienced a disaster like for a volcano for example and i live near a volcano and last time in 2022 the volcano in my place erupted and my family evacuated safely and another disaster is the typhoon that happened last year and right now im happy to say im safe

[Fluttershutter 2,489]

6 hours ago, Dreambiscuit said:

@Fluttershutter Tornadoes are the scariest natural disasters, (for me). I've experienced two back in the day, and got through okay, but even a trip to Oz can't make that scare worthwhile. Now the big question; is it better to open the house windows (slightly, to equalize pressure) during a tornado, or not? This question has been going around for years. 

I doubt it makes any difference.

[SharpWit 2,673]

I live in Washington State, no where near the fires obviously, but I did happen to purchase an emergency fire shelter that would've belonged to a US Firest Ranger that I found at a Goodwill, just a few days before they began.

In late summer, fires on the East side of the Cascade mountain range used to build up and make for some of the most beautiful sunrises. However, in 2017 and I think every year since, the fires have gotten big enough or started up in British Columbia, and a few on the west side in the last two years, that luckily have just brought smoke and small amounts of ash. It blows down from the North or sweeps over the Cascades and gets trapped between the Olympic mountains over Puget Sound, making for some if the worst air quality in the country if not the world in a place that usually has some of the best.

What's gotten a bit scary with this, is the fires can be over a hundred miles away, but the smoke acts like a constant fog with an orange glow, and the ash makes it seem not so far away. If a fire were only a few houses down and spreading, we wouldn't know.

Beyond that, only some winter storms like the ones just before Thanksgiving this year that took out power for nearly 600k, (but not us somehow) and took just over a week to get everyone back on, and a few minor earthquakes.

[IronM17 5,389]

Here in western germany, we have usually two natural desasters, floods and storms. I experienced once in my life the thunderstorm around a tornado (my village was hit, but not my house). It was a really scary moment when I saw the dark yellow clouds in front of me with all the lightnings. Parts of my village where terrible destroyed, but luckily no injured nor deaths. I remember that when the storm arrived, I leave my room to go to the lowest area of the house with all the other residents. (it was an apartment building and the cellar was completelly an own apartment where we could not go into so it was the most safe area ... besdies the fact that we did not know it was a tornado at that moment). 

My region, the rhineland, was also hit by the most terrible flood in germany since decades in 2021 with almost 200 deaths. Some parts of the area where completelly destroyed. I live on a smal mountain with no river close to me so we had luck (the most terrible hit region called Ahr valley is not far away from me). But seeing all the emergency vehicles around my area from every part of germany and hearing from acquaintances what they saw (my brothers hosue was hit by the flood, but he was not there when it happend) is even 4 years later oppressive. I also remember that day when I stood on my balcony and saw all that water falling from the sky. 

When they are extreme weather events like windstorms, thunderstorms, snow storms, freezing rain or heavy rain what could end in a flood, I try to avoid to leave the house if possible (except I would live close to a river and I still have the chance to leave the area before the flood came). If I have to go out (because of work for example), I am really careful. Or I call my boss and ask if I can stay at home for that day (what is usually accepted). 

I also experienced two earthquakes in my life since the rhine area is an earthquake area (and also volcanic area), but not in a same level as in California or east asia. There is the possibility that the lake Laach, a volcanic lake, could erupt in the future, but I guess the possibility is much lower than the yellowstone volcano or the flegrean fields in italy. But if, the eruption would be terrible. 

[Castle Bleck 19,368]

For us (northwest South Carolina), there was Hurricane Helene.

[ZiggWheelsManning 10,477]

My heart goes out to all those affected by the LA wildfires and hopes that things turnaround for the better.  I had some heavy rain hurricane storms last September.  

[Snoopy Fan 446]

Prayers to everyone in California right now 🙏