Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_porsche
Lets keep it human.
Almost 600 houses that were homes yesterday morning are gone.
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^^^ This.
We're in Golden, ten miles south of Superior. My closest friend's office is in Superior and he has upwards of 40 employees who live in the devastated area. He's still waiting to learn how they fared. Chances are high that many lost everything. When I saw how, and how quickly the fire grew, I quickly understood just how easily this could have happened in my own neighborhood. There but for the grace of God, as they say.
The thought that something that would normally be viewed as "just a grass fire" (and likely
was in the early stages yesterday) could wrought such devastation is quite sobering. High winds here are certainly not unusual. But sustained winds of 40-50 mph (with gusts over 100 mph in some areas, and
only 70-80 throughout the area) for many hours straight, combined with the current extreme drought conditions made for a very dangerous partnership.
Life has offered us good fortune, part of which is a lovely 5,000 sqft home. With no more kids at home, we're going to offer our 1,800 sqft basement to a family in need. Depending on how long they might need to get their feet under them, this could delay our own retirement plans, but I can't very well spend my kids' entire lives telling them life is about doing the right thing ... and then not be willing do it myself when a neighbor is in desperate need.
And I was so looking forward to selling our home and retiring on Lake Norman NC this spring.
C'est la vie.
_