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This week we were reminded yet again of the power of nature and just how much it can impact our homes, neighborhoods, communities and livelihoods. Over 10,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fires in Southern California. Some of the most beautiful homes, neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, etc are simply obliterated. Worse, so many memories, history, etc are now in ashes. These are not merely homes: these are the lives that happened around and in these homes too. California is not alone. Nature demonstrates its destructive power around the world every single year.
Over the next weeks and months more evaluation will be done as to why the damage was so extensive, and why this could not be prevented or minimized. Is it even possible to put out a fire with 80mph winds? Some are espousing all sorts of negative opinions that highlight yet again the ugliness that has found a megaphone in our society. The reality is that the power of nature is quite breathtaking. Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed around 100,000 structures....and that was just in North Carolina. Mostly far from any coastline. Some estimates put the economic impact, including property and infrastructure damage, as high as $200 billion, making Helene the costliest storm in U.S. history. More recently the US averaged around $125 billion in home damage from natural disasters every year.
While some areas are more prone to fires, hurricanes, droughts, floods, earthquakes, etc than others, the power of nature impacts us everywhere. Those Canadian fires impacted millions with smoke travelling thousands of miles away. Currently in the US there are 189 active wildfires with over 265,000 acres impacted. (americanforests.org). The largest recent fire was in Wyoming...almost 100,000 acres. Even if your home is never damaged by nature, chances are your insurance and/or taxes will be impacted by mother nature.
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Compass
891 Beach Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Erin Thompson | CA DRE# 01777525
Erin Thompson & Team