Despite surviving multiple natural disasters, the 'unluckiest woman' evacuates from California wildfires.
A woman from Lake Arrowhead, California, managed to escape the wildfires, but her friends are losing their homes, she says.
A resident of Lake Arrowhead, California, known as the "unluckiest woman," is currently evacuating from devastating wildfires.
"I'm anxious now, and I know many people in Running Springs, the small town next to us, are losing their homes right now, and it's heartbreaking. These are my friends, acquaintances, and even strangers," Czermak said in an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital.
Nearly 2,000 firefighters and personnel are fighting a blaze in San Bernardino County, which has burned over 26,400 acres, according to Fox Weather.
After receiving a third emergency alert to evacuate, the mother of four drove to her aunt's home in Las Vegas.
"I'm so sentimental that my car is full of pictures from all over the house, including photo albums."
Lance, her husband, is still in Lake Arrowhead and waiting for the final evacuation alert. However, her home and family members are currently safe.
As she was leaving, it seemed that community members were evacuating while others were prepared to go with trailers attached to their cars, according to Czermak.
"The town is deserted, with no banks, stores except for a grocery store, and an abundance of sheriffs, highway patrol, and fire trucks."
In her life, Czermak has experienced or narrowly avoided at least five natural disasters, earning her the reputation of being the "unluckiest woman" among news reporters.
"Since the last fire was 16 or 17 years ago, you can't claim to be the unluckiest one, but we'll see because the next time I move, we'll discuss it."
In 2007, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and caused devastation for Czermak and her family.
"My house experienced 10 feet of flooding, resulting in complete destruction of items on the bottom floor and a musty smell of mildew and mold on the top floor."
The National Weather Service reports that Hurricane Katrina resulted in 1,833 deaths, caused $108 billion in damage, and left millions of people homeless along the Gulf Coast and in New Orleans.
The National Guard ordered a mandatory evacuation of the area where Czermak and her family were staying in a hotel.
She stated that they got into their car, which was submerged in water, and drove it out of the hotel parking garage.
"People were crawling on our car, hoping to escape," she said.
She said that Czermak and her family drove 20 hours to Houston, Texas, to stay with a friend for the next three months.
Once again, Czermak evacuated her family after spending time in Texas and being hit by Hurricane Rita.
A blizzard was experienced by Czermak and her family two years ago.
"She called it "Snowmageddon" as we were snowed in for 11 days in our house without electricity."
During a natural disaster, Czermak advises others to be organized to be better prepared.
"I was usually disorganized," she stated. "Now, I have everything in its proper place and am ready to go. That's how we did it. I am much more organized [now]."
Her son suggested that she move near him and his family in Pittsburgh, where there are no natural disasters, according to Czermak.
She quipped, "I'm certain I'll bring one along, just like flooding something."
lifestyle
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