Georgine Palmer EchoMountainWildfire Loss

I lost everything overnight from the Echo Mountain Complex wildfire, in Otis, Oregon on September 7, 2020.  I am a 77 year old woman who is alone and my whole life went up in flames  and left me this pile of rubble.     I have no insurance .    My pets were the first out of the house, then I came back quickly with the flames up above me raging, and grabbed very little.  I was very scared.  There was no time.    I am left with nothing to rebuild or to live.

This was an ordeal.  I was wakened by a neighbor telling me to "put on your shoes, and get out."   I looked above me and saw the flames about 100 yards away from me.     I went to a friend's home across the river  where we had a knock on the door during the time I went to her house to evacuate to the safeway shopping center.  We went there and spent the night in the car, the sky red, the winds furious.   By morning not knowing what to do, we went back to my friends house to wait.   No power, horrible smoke, but we waited.  Meanwhile I went back to my house to get anything, grabbed a few things in about 10 minutes, at 77, I could not gather much, and frankly I thought I would be returning and would have to carry it all back in.    I left, stopped and talked to the police who told me not to return to the house because the smoke was dangerous.  They would tell us when and if we  could return.   In a few hours I tried again to go back to my home and the sheriff refused my entry to the street.   I then went back to my friends house and at 2am the sheriff evacuated us from there as there were embers behind her house.   We went to the Lincoln County Community Center and spent time there until about noon with the Red Cross when we were evacuated to another community center in Newport 26 miles away.   The police were on the highway directing lanes of traffic because by this time they had evacuated all of Lincoln City.   I was scared, and the 26 mile trip took 3 hours (on fumes of gas by the way).    Got there and had to register at a college, then go to the Newport Community Center.  We spent two nights there until Red Cross found us hotel rooms after lincoln city's evacuation order had been lowered.   The pets, and I, plus my friend and her bird all went to the hotel, where we remain.   


Finding housing is difficult because after the Level 3 was lifted and we went back each to our own homes to find the whole home, possessions, etc., all reduced to rubble.   

I don't need the most important things, I have an old car, and I just need the basics.  The costs for a dwelling will be more than I estimate.  But if I can get enough to find a  used mobile, I will be ok.  Furniture, clothing, etc., are all things and they will come in time.  If I have to live on the floor, as long as I have a home I will be very greatful.    Housing now, with so many families that have lost their homes trying to find a place to live, is a premium.    I just need your help.

I have no family to go to, and no place to go.    Please, if you can, any tiny amount towards shelter will be appreciated far more than you realize. 

Thank you for reading and your kindness.