Four-star refuge for San Diego evacuees
San Diego (California). Clothes are piled up in large plastic boxes at the back of the truck. Erasmo Blanco, the owner of the vehicle, is playing a tune on his son’s miniature guitar. The resident of Julian, a town in the mountains east of San Diego, fled his house with his family on Tuesday night, October 23, as the one of the wildfires, which have charred 500,000 acres in Southern California, was closing in on his house. Erasmo and his family had about 20 minutes to pack important papers and clothes before leaving their home behind. “We could see the flames, says Carlos, Erasmo’s 14-year old son. It was hard to breathe. I had to abandon my toys and my photos of my family. I am sure everything is burnt now.” The Blanco family has spent the last two days on the parking in front of Qualcomm Stadium (photo Nick C. Carlson), the home of the San Diego Chargers. 12 people live in three tents they have built in front of their trucks. Bettany, Carlos’ cousin and the youngest child of the family, will turn one next month. “She has been ok, Carlos adds. The authorities gave us food for her and diapers”. The Blancos are among the 500,000 who have had to flee there homes in Southern California because of the destructive wildfires. At Qualcomm stadium, they have found an organized network of support. With the Katrina nightmare still in mind, rescuers have moved swiftly to make sure that what happened in the aftermath of the deadly hurricane Katrina in 2005 in New York, would take place in San Diego. But unlike the thousands of evacuees, who were literally abandoned for days in the Superdome in New Orleans, the wildfire victims are now greeted with smiles. The services at Qualcomm stadium, range from free food, toiletries and clothes to free massages, acupuncture and yoga. People have been able to get a bed in the bleachers of the stadium. Unlike in the Superdome where there was no running water for days, everything is working smoothly at Qualcomm. Fema officials, who were much criticized for their lack of reaction in the aftermath of Katrina, are omnipresent and affable. For the Blancos, a family originally from Tijuana (Mexico), this is welcome support. Especially as the family does not know how long it will have to remain on the parking before being allowed to go back home. “Cerrado” (closed). Erasmo, the father says the word many times when he speaks about the road leading to his town. “We do not know if our house is still standing, adds Carlos, the son. It is sad because everything already burnt down in 2003”. Many young evacuees such as Craig Hendricks Hunt, 23, are volunteering to help fellow evacuees. Craig had to flee his house near San Bernardino with his mother, his brother James and his father Rex, a postal worker. “The community has come together, says Rex. For the circumstances, they are doing a good job and keeping the kids busy.” Unlike in New Orleans, corporate America is helping the government provide support to the wildfire evacuees in San Diego. One of the major cell phone companies is offering free Internet and free phone calls. A major insurance company is giving out hot food. Frank, a 28-year old African American living on the street, who has come to Qualcomm to get a hot meal and a fresh towel, receives a set of playing cards sponsored by another phone company. After thinking for a while about what he would do with the set, Franck finally decides to keep it and put in a white plastic bag he got from a volunteer a few minutes earlier. Jean-Cosme Delaloye / San Diego CommentsYou must be logged in to post a comment. |
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