Planning Disaster
No one wants to be this kind of expert. On November 9, 2018, our idyllic and historic community in the mountains of Malibu suffered severe property losses in the Woolsey Fire. Our old wooden home is still standing, and though all of our neighbors are safe, it’s a difficult time. These past months have been filled with hard truths and human kindness, rubble and aspiration—the full spectrum of emotions. Andy and I are now back in our home and getting together with neighbors regularly.
• 84 families in our immediate area lost their homes.
• Our community will need all the best builders with the kindest hearts and the most integrity to rebuild our neighbors.
Disaster can happen anywhere. This time it was here. We are doing anything it makes sense for us to do to help those worst affected. Let us know if you can help in any way.
Andy and I are volunteering everywhere for everything we can. We coordinated and spoke at the first of a series of planned Rebuild Forums, and I spoke at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) earlier this year. It’s been beautiful to see support for our tiny community from all over the world—from high-profile concerts and sports events to artists selling their art to support us, school fundraisers and corporate donations—and more is and will be needed for years as we receive burn-scar mud and debris from the creeks above us, flooding our roads and homes.
My most important advice is the following.
• If you are lucky enough to have advance notice, evacuate early and be thoughtful about what you bring with. Plan that in advance.
• Take a quick video of all your belongings including what’s inside each drawer and all closets and storage areas; this is a home inventory.
• Check your insurance coverage annually. Be sure you have enough to rebuild to current code and fully restore your lives after a disaster.
• If your community endures a disaster, be kind and very patient. Everyone affected processes in their own way, and they may not have all their social skills available at all times, but everyone is doing the best they can.