## The Unthinkable: A Reflection on Loss and Emergencies
### A Harrowing Experience
When Lizz Porter recalls the River Fire in August 2021, her voice falters when remembering what was left behind. Her family believed their home in Colfax, California, would be safe. Alas, they were mistaken.
### The Pain of Loss
Porter left behind irreplaceable items — her grandmother’s paintings, her wedding dress, her husband’s family Bible, and photographs on a hard drive.
### A Somber Realisation
“We never thought that we would actually lose,” she began, trailing off. The emotional toll of these losses cannot be overstated.
### A Tale of Enough
Nevertheless, Porter strives not to dwell on what cannot be reclaimed. “I try really hard not to have a bunch of regrets,” she explained, reflecting on the value of seizing each day.
### Lessons in Preparedness
Porter was not entirely unprepared. Having grown up in the earthquake-prone region, she had a teardrop camper for emergencies. Although it functioned as a portable go-bag, the River Fire required adjustments she hadn’t foreseen.
### Immediate Needs and Priceless Sentiments
Experts recommend prioritising essentials such as passports and financial documents during emergencies. These are the stepping stones to recovery. However, personal treasures prove more challenging to prioritise and pack as part of a go-bag.
### Circumstantial Factors
The chaos of a disaster dictates what one can save. Variables include time of day, the nature of the disaster, and one’s mental state. For Porter, there was a single hour to fill a suitcase and car with memories and essentials alike. Her disorganised collection of papers provided unexpected relief.
### Another Voice: Hurricane Harvey’s Impact
Aparna Shewakramani faced rising floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey in Houston. With her mother recovering from hip surgery, she had seven hours to decide what to save.
### Salvaging Memories
Shewakramani skillfully stacked her cherished possessions. Photos, clothes, and shoes found their way atop furniture. Yet, despite these efforts, her mental calculation of risks felt surreal.
### An Upstream Escape
As the waters rose, friends offered essentials like bottled water. Shewakramani managed to pack a basic go-bag. With assistance from a kayaking stranger named Barb, she reached higher ground with family and pets.
### Reflecting on Aftermath
When the tide receded, the water lay three feet deep. Her insurance documents and personal records were filed amidst the rush to escape. These recovery efforts highlighted the critical role of insurance. See: [How much homeowners insurance do you need?](https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/insurance/article/how-much-homeowners-insurance-do-i-need-181655031.html)
### Coping Mechanisms and Forward Planning
Shannah Game faced similar hardship after Hurricane Helene in Asheville. Emergency preparations weren’t enough against long-term challenges.
### A Preparedness Dossier
Though initially spared, the loss of utilities proved debilitating. Standing in queues, rationing essentials, and surviving on limited cash spoke volumes about this ordeal. Such survival measures transformed their outlook on daily living.
### Sudden Calamities: Auburn’s 2009 Wildfire
Marika Porter, unrelated to Lizz, saw her Auburn home vanish in a wildfire. Captured at the cinema, she could do nothing.
### The Return Home and Toward Recovery
Her husband attempted a heroic rescue of pets, but the fire’s advance stymied efforts. The devastation echoed in their hearts who, like many, continued to rebuild lives after the blaze.
### Recommendations for the Future
Marika advises using off-site safe deposit boxes for vital documents. Lizz Porter suggests a priority list along with keeping go-bags constantly updated. Items of special significance shouldn’t be overlooked.
### Final Thoughts
Even as practical suggestions lay bare, Porter’s experience underscores a haunting truth. Physical possessions might be replaceable, but emotional attachments endure.
—
**For further insights into disaster recovery and insurance tips, explore: [How to shop for homeowners insurance in 5 steps](https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/insurance/article/how-to-shop-for-homeowners-insurance-000524301.html)**
**For the latest personal finance news, click [here](https://finance.yahoo.com/topic/personal-finance).**
**Read more of Janna Herron’s analysis on [X @JannaHerron](https://twitter.com/JannaHerron).**