In the wake of the January firestorm, the nonprofit organization Department of Angels has been actively surveying survivors from the Palisades and Eaton fires. The aim is to better understand the challenges that those who lost their homes face nearly one year after the devastating events.
The quarterly surveys look into various aspects of survivors’ lives, including their access to insurance, financial conditions, and housing stability.
On a recent Monday, Miguel Santana, co-founder of the Department of Angels, appeared on LAist 89.3’s AirTalk. During the show, he communicated the difficulties faced by survivors, while listeners shared their personal experiences with recovery.
One recurring theme in the conversations was the challenges surrounding insurance claims. For many survivors, navigating the insurance landscape has proven to be a daunting task.
Brooke, whose parents lost their home in the Eaton Fire, highlighted the struggles of her family in her email to the show. She revealed that her parents are eager to rebuild, but their insurance company complicates matters by requiring detailed itemization of all their possessions, along with photographic evidence that they do not possess.
“They want our parents to itemize every single possession they had in their home and back it up with photos,” Brooke wrote. “I fear they’re going to leave hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table that they desperately need to rebuild.”
Santana echoed her frustration, indicating that many survivors experience delays, denials, or dismissals from their insurance companies despite having faithfully paid their premiums for years.
In addition to the financial burdens, the mental health impact of the fires is significant.
Eric from Altadena shared how the loss of their home has affected his family’s mental well-being. After relocating to El Sereno, he indicated, “We’re all day to day from a mental health perspective.” He explained that both of his children are in therapy, and he and his wife are seeking professional help as well, highlighting the psychological toll the fires have taken on families.
As survivors contemplate rebuilding their lives, many express feelings of uncertainty and anxiety about the process. Sandra from Altadena mentioned her decision to purchase a tiny home to live in during the rebuilding phase. She affirmed her commitment to returning to her property to nurture the remnants of her garden, emphasizing her desire to reconnect with her community.
Conversely, Diane from West Los Angeles shared a more distressing experience, explaining that after losing her home in the Palisades Fire, she has moved seven times this year already. Currently renting a bungalow that is more expensive than her former mortgage, she expressed her concern about the financial feasibility of rebuilding. “We’d like to rebuild, but how do we know how we’ll pay for it?” she questioned. “The goalposts keep moving and the players are wearing out.”
Despite many wanting to return to their neighborhoods, the financial ramifications of the fire have made some consider leaving. Frank from Altadena articulated this struggle, noting that his family feels stuck in limbo as they analyze their financial readiness to rebuild.
Courtney, who also lost her rental home in the fire, conveyed a heartbreaking decision to move to the Midwest, citing the high cost of living and personal challenges stemming from PTSD. “We’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to move to the Midwest to be closer to family where it’s much cheaper,” she wrote.
Santana stressed the importance of remembering the experiences of fire survivors as time passes. “It is so important that the rest of us in Los Angeles pay attention to what’s happening to survivors and to not forget them,” he urged.
The emotional and financial struggles faced by the survivors of the Palisades and Eaton fires reveal the complexities of post-disaster recovery. As communities work towards rebuilding, the path remains fraught with challenges, both tangible and intangible.
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