Each siren that wails through town is a reminder that a week ago today one of the most devasting fires to hit Lake Tahoe erupted. No one here has escaped without it emotionally touching them. Our nerves are raw and frayed.
A bit of it is survivor's guilt. A bit is media overload. A bit is learning to return to a sense of normalcy when others will never be able to return to that state. A new state of normalcy will probably emerge for all of us.
South Lake Tahoe is a giving, compassionate community that will grow and learn from the experience.
People are finding temporary housing -- which could be years based on reports of how long it may take to rebuild. We can only move dirt between May 1 and Oct. 15.
It's still being worked out if homeowners are responsible for removing hazardous waste from their site or if the county or state will pony up the funds.
The cost and speed of approving necessary permits is still in the discussion phase. Mortgages must be paid even if a structure doesn't exist.
Life is going on. All the burned areas have been opened for residents to see what remains.
Fingers are crossed that idiots don't loot the place or be voyeristic this holiday week. These people have suffered enough.
The rest of town is aching for people to return. The casinos are sending people home because no one is playing the one-arm bandits or bellying up to the felt tables. They are hourly -- so no work, no pay.
Restaurants are hurting, massage therapists have no bodies to rub.
We need the tourists to help us heal.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment