Highland Park resident Sabrina gives a firsthand account of fleeing the devastating Southern California wildfires, as fierce 80 mph winds drive the Eaton Fire toward residential areas. In an exclusive interview, Sabrina details her experience joining the other 130,000 displaced citizens.
A Highland Park resident was forced to evacuate early Wednesday morning as devastating wildfires continued to spread across Southern California, threatening neighbourhoods and prompting mass evacuations.
Sabrina, 30, moved to Los Angeles in June 2024. She left her home at around 5am after smoke from the nearby Eaton Fire in Altadena became unbearable. "I opened the door just to check what it was like outside, and it was just smokey. My eyes started burning after just two seconds of being outside," she said.
The evacuation came after a sleepless night monitoring the situation as fierce winds of up to 80 mph drove the flames closer to residential areas. "We weren't really sleeping. We were just monitoring the situation throughout the night," Sabrina explained.
She and her four housemates split into two groups, with some heading to San Diego while Sabrina found refuge at a roommate's family home in Orange County. The fires have forced approximately 130,000 people to evacuate across the Los Angeles area.
For those without family or friends to stay with, Sabrina noted that evacuation centres and shelters are available but emphasised that most evacuation costs fall on residents themselves. "In about 90% of cases, the cost of evacuating is entirely on the evacuee," she said. The L.A. wildfires are expected to cost California at least €50 billion in damages, according to analysts.
Despite the uncertainty of whether her home will still be standing when she returns, Sabrina plans to remain in Southern California but is reconsidering where to live. "I see myself eventually moving to Orange County," she said, citing its relative safety from wildfires compared to areas closer to the mountains. "It's calm and safe."
The fires have already claimed five lives and destroyed nearly 2,000 homes and businesses, with the Palisades Fire becoming the most destructive in Los Angeles' history. Officials expect the number of destroyed structures to rise as assessments continue.
Southern California is reeling from the largest wildfires in Los Angeles County's history, with over $50 billion in damages and more than 5,000 structures destroyed. As insurance options dwindle and rebuilding costs soar, residents face tough choices.
The United States National Weather Service warns that lingering dry weather and strong winds in Southern California will hinder efforts to contain the catastrophic wildfires.
The Palisades wildfire rages in Los Angeles, destroying homes and threatening neighbourhoods as fierce winds fuel the blaze. Thousands evacuated amid toxic smoke and mounting devastation.
Los Angeles wildfires claim 16 lives, burning 40,000 acres and destroying 12,000 structures, with over 150,000 residents under evacuation orders. Containment efforts continue.
Real estate agent Jenna Cooper, with help from celebrities like Sharon Stone and Halle Berry, created a pop-up store to provide clothing and essentials to those affected by LA's devastating wildfires.
North Korea launched multiple short-range missiles on Tuesday, which landed outside Japan's waters, with no reports of damage or casualties, according to Japan's government.
A devastating mudslide at a jade mine in Myanmar has engulfed homes, with dozens feared dead and rescue teams continuing to search through the debris.
Southern California is battling devastating wildfires that have claimed 24 lives, destroyed thousands of homes, and triggered mass evacuations. Amid the chaos, a surge in looting and criminal activity is straining communities and law enforcement efforts.
Over 100 Paris 2024 Olympic medals were returned due to quality issues linked to EU regulations and an untested varnish formula. The IOC has pledged to replace all defective medals.
A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Kyushu, southern Japan, prompting tsunami advisories for Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures. A 20-centimetre tsunami reached Miyazaki city, but no issues were reported at nearby nuclear power plants. Links to the Nankai Trough are under investigation.
Highland Park resident Sabrina gives a firsthand account of fleeing the devastating Southern California wildfires, as fierce 80 mph winds drive the Eaton Fire toward residential areas. In an exclusive interview, Sabrina details her experience joining the other 130,000 displaced citizens.
Reports of a two-month halt in Azerbaijani gas supplies to Serbia are false. Despite a technical issue at Shah Deniz Alpha, Shah Deniz Bravo ensures steady exports, with supplies set to resume soon. BP confirms no damage or environmental impact.
A Cessna CJ1+ aircraft (PR-GFS) crashed while landing at Gastão Madeira State Airport (UBT) in Ubatuba, Brazil, on 9 January 2025, amidst adverse weather. The crash, which claimed the pilot’s life and injured seven others, has raised concerns over private aviation safety in Brazil.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry is working with Eritrean authorities to secure the release of 18 Azerbaijani citizens detained after their vessels entered Eritrean waters on November 7, 2024, due to severe weather. The crew faces charges of unauthorized entry.
North Korea launched multiple short-range missiles on Tuesday, which landed outside Japan's waters, with no reports of damage or casualties, according to Japan's government.
A devastating mudslide at a jade mine in Myanmar has engulfed homes, with dozens feared dead and rescue teams continuing to search through the debris.
Southern California is battling devastating wildfires that have claimed 24 lives, destroyed thousands of homes, and triggered mass evacuations. Amid the chaos, a surge in looting and criminal activity is straining communities and law enforcement efforts.
Over 100 Paris 2024 Olympic medals were returned due to quality issues linked to EU regulations and an untested varnish formula. The IOC has pledged to replace all defective medals.
A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Kyushu, southern Japan, prompting tsunami advisories for Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures. A 20-centimetre tsunami reached Miyazaki city, but no issues were reported at nearby nuclear power plants. Links to the Nankai Trough are under investigation.
North Korea launched multiple short-range missiles on Tuesday, which landed outside Japan's waters, with no reports of damage or casualties, according to Japan's government.
A devastating mudslide at a jade mine in Myanmar has engulfed homes, with dozens feared dead and rescue teams continuing to search through the debris.
Southern California is battling devastating wildfires that have claimed 24 lives, destroyed thousands of homes, and triggered mass evacuations. Amid the chaos, a surge in looting and criminal activity is straining communities and law enforcement efforts.
Over 100 Paris 2024 Olympic medals were returned due to quality issues linked to EU regulations and an untested varnish formula. The IOC has pledged to replace all defective medals.
A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Kyushu, southern Japan, prompting tsunami advisories for Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures. A 20-centimetre tsunami reached Miyazaki city, but no issues were reported at nearby nuclear power plants. Links to the Nankai Trough are under investigation.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment