Driving through the foothills of Altadena, one will see various stages of rebuilding. Some houses are almost completely rebuilt; others have only their foundation or framing done, while Mother Nature has reclaimed other lots. Every parcel of land is either being reinvented or suspended in its fire story. Recovery stories, however, are as varied as the people affected by the fire. The insurance company, as well as the adjuster assigned to the claim, determines how easy or difficult the rebuilding process will be.
“Access to resources play a critical role in determining who can effectively navigate the challenges and rebuild their lives. There is often a sense that Mother Nature is the great equalizer: She pays no mind to what we humans engineer and manufacture, including the inequalities on which we build our societies.” - Professor Emily Smith-Greenaway
A Slow Recovery
The California Wildfire Fund was signed on July 12, 2019, by Governor Gavin Newsom. The Fund was established to protect investor-owned utility companies from bankruptcy when wildfire claims exceed $1 billion. There are three companies protected by the Fund: Southern California Edison, PG&E, and SDG&E.
The California Wildfire Fund was also intended to protect consumers from rate hikes resulting from the wildfire and ensure that fire victims are compensated promptly. In addition to the California Wildfire Fund, the insurance companies in the case of the Eaton fire victims will recoup their losses by virtue of the subrogation clause as part of the homeowner’s policy. The subrogation clause entitles the insurance company to recover its payments if a third party settles with the policyholder.
Despite the protection against bankruptcy for insurance companies through the California Wildfire Fund, the subrogation clause, and years of reserves from premiums paid by their clients, some companies are slow-walking policy payments. Over a year later, policyholders are still having to justify their actual construction costs because they exceed the insurance company’s lower estimated replacement cost. By delaying additional payments, the insurance company continues to collect thousands of dollars in interest on monies that will eventually be paid out if the insured continues to demand payment.
“Though fires burn indiscriminately, the ability to recover from a disaster isn’t evenly distributed.” - Professor Emily Smith-Greenaway
People who have experienced losing a home will understand the fire victims’ paralysis, but the mortgage companies (if you still have a mortgage) will begin demanding that you rebuild. So, the clock is ticking; it’s time to be honest with yourself. Do you want to rebuild? Do you have it in you to rebuild? Will you regret it if you don’t rebuild it? Do you need the same-sized house, or will a smaller one do? What are your alternatives? Now is the time to get ready for the future, whatever that may be.
“Those who lack such financial security will likely smother their grief out of a necessity to focus on their survival, even if at the expense of their well-being.” - Professor Emily Smith-Greenaway
Your well-being and your children's well-being should be paramount. The above referenced article is a good resource to help you understand what you are feeling. The article may even validate those feelings because it isn’t fair that some people’s journeys have been so much easier than the one you may be experiencing. Hopefully, it will give you an understanding of what is keeping you from moving on and make you aware of some struggles that your children (if you have any) are experiencing. Life is still going on during the rebuilding process. Young families are dealing with a myriad of issues, which now include finding contractors, architects, engineers, and surveyors, and then waiting for plans and permits to be approved. Waiting for insurance payout, plans, and permits approval. Waiting for grant and loan approval is like waiting for the other shoe to drop, because whether the loan, grant, or additional insurance money is forthcoming determines whether the fight to rebuild continues.
Returning Home
For those fortunate enough to rebuild and are currently doing so, now is a good time to prepare for the return home. Returning home will likely come with some trepidation. Concerns about the safety of the air and soil are ever-present. The next time there are strong winds and/or a power outage, will it bring back feelings from January 7, 2025?
Adults can acknowledge and discuss these concerns, but what about the children? Have the children been given the space to share their feelings continually? Adults assume children are resilient and will adapt to returning home. Kids are offered counseling, usually by the school at the onset of a crisis, but what happens if they need ongoing help? Children returning home to Altadena may have the same fears and concerns as their parents, but may be unable to express them or may not have been allowed to. After all, children have no agency over whether or not they return home. They have to live with the decisions that their parents make.
Julie Cederbaum, an associate professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, states, “Children show their worries and fears differently based on their age and development. Allowing space for children to process their thoughts and feelings and being patient with children displaying regressive behaviors is important. For school-age children, providing space for them to talk about what they have heard and to explain things to them using age-appropriate language helps them know it is OK to talk about their thoughts and feelings with you.”
Parents planning to return to Altadena should lay the groundwork for a smooth transition. Claudine Harris, a retired private practitioner and professor in the Psychology department at Los Angeles Mission College with 35 years of experience in psychology, counseling, and therapy, suggests that parents create opportunities for their children to talk about how the fires have impacted them. Children may not be able to express themselves as easily as adults, so parents should sit down face-to-face with them and casually bring up returning home, their room, and how they might want to decorate it. Some ideas:
- Encourage the child to open up about how they feel about returning home and carefully ask what they are concerned about or even afraid of regarding it. Speaking with your children will allow them to verbalize their grief of losing their homes, schools, and some of their friends, who won’t be returning to the area.
- Allow them to make choices about their rooms will give them something to look forward to and a sense of control in their lives.
- Have a fire plan in place will reassure them that the chaos of the night will not be repeated.
Lastly, Professor Harris indicates that if parents are concerned about how their children are handling the trauma of the wildfires, they should make an appointment for an assessment through their medical insurance or avail themselves of free or low-cost services at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
The road home has been a long one, and it isn’t over for most of Altadena, not yet. Stay Strong, Altadena, we’re almost there. Keep fighting a little longer; take care of yourself, take care of your children, and take care of each other.
Disclaimer: The content shared in our blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
