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Journalism of Courage
Wildfires in Los Angeles have wreaked havoc since Tuesday, forcing thousands to evacuate, destroying entire neighbourhoods, and claiming lives. One mother shared her emotional journey on Reddit after fleeing with her baby, family, and pets. Although thankful for their survival, she expressed deep sorrow over the loss of her home and belongings.
“We are one of so many families that lost their house yesterday in the Los Angeles area. We had just moved in. Our entire neighbourhood is ash and rubble. We got out just in time with our baby, family, and pets. We lost absolutely everything else,” she wrote.
She continued by describing the emotional toll the disaster has taken on her, as the overwhelming sadness for her baby’s future and her family’s uncertainty keep her from resting.
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The post has gone viral with over 4,200 likes and more than 300 comments. An individual commented, “I live in New Orleans and lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be mad. It’s okay to be sad. You will feel so many emotions over the next several weeks/ months. Take advantage of any help offered. I vividly remember bawling like a baby when a Red Cross truck showed up on our street and was handing out sandwiches and water. It was a crappy turkey sandwich, but at the time it was so needed.”
Another user said, “My parents lost my childhood home to the Marshall fire 3 years ago. It’s devastating. It’s a very long road but they chose to rebuild and the house just finished this month! It’s absolutely beautiful. Let me know if you have any questions about anything. We unfortunately just went through it.”
A third user wrote, “OP please make an Amazon wishlist and send me the link. I’d love to help replenish some of your daughters favorite toys/books.”
According to Business Insider, the LA County Medical Examiner has confirmed 10 fatalities so far, while JPMorgan analysts estimate that the fires have led to an economic loss of approximately $50 billion. Authorities report that over 35,000 acres have been scorched, and more than 1,500 people have been forced to seek shelter.
