As we wait to find out if the fire will destroy more homes, NewsChannel 15 helps you prepare for an evacuation.
Tom Kobich woke up to find his neighborhood surrounded by flames.
"I really wasn't thinking about what was inside, I was just thinking about getting out of there, because I've just never seen such intensity of flames," said Kobich.
Some Barefoot Resort evacuees paused to grab important documents. Others just didn't have time.
"My wife didn't get her purse, she didn't get her shoes, and I'm looking at the fire right on the side of the house saying get in the car now," Peter Campbell.
Now left with what they have, they wish for what they had.
"Oh my gosh, yeah, pictures, our wedding pictures, pictures of our family and friends, paperwork, tax returns," said Kobich.
"It's nothing like we've ever experienced before so we didn't know what to do," said another evacuee.
It's too late for the evacuees, but what you can do, and probably should do, especially if you're in the potential path of the fire, is make a list of the important things
you should take during an emergency.
A lot of times people don't have a lot of time to think about what they can bring.
John Heid with Allstate Insurance says take paperwork, medications, pets and sentimental treasures.
"Things that even if you received a check to pay for it, it's a family heirloom, so the value is more than money," said Heid.
But, even if you leave empty handed, leave before its too late.
If your documents are destroyed in the wildfire, here's a list, courtesy of the Coastal Restoration Group LLC., of who you can contact for replacement documents.
- Drivers license and registration - Department of Motor Vehicles
- Bank books - your bank
- Insurance policies - your insurance agent
- Military discharge papers - Department of Veterans Affairs
- Passports - Passport service
- Birth, death and marriage certificates - Bureau of Records in the appropriate state
- Social Security/Medicare cards - local Social Security office
- Credit card - the issuing company
- Titles to deed - Records department where property is located
- Stocks and bonds - Issuing company or your broker
- Wills - your lawyer
- Medical records - your doctor
- Warranties - Issuing company
- Income tax records - the IRS center where you filed your accountant
- Animal registration papers - Humane Society
- Mortgage papers - Lending institution
