Dave Waterfall and his family were forced to evacuate their Santa Monica home as the wind-fueled Palisades Fire burned closer to their neighborhood on Tuesday night. Waterfall shared that the fire line was just eight blocks away from their home, detailing the damage witnessed so far.
He mentioned significant wind damage, including the loss of their gate and fence, along with trees falling and crushing cars in the area. Some homes in Waterfall's neighborhood were also impacted by fallen trees.
Waterfall, along with his wife, children, and pets, were prepared to evacuate promptly upon receiving the order. He credited their readiness to a 'go-bag' his wife had prepared during Christmas, containing essential documents, papers, and hard drives.
Reflecting on the situation, Waterfall highlighted the rarity of large fires affecting the region in recent years. He emphasized the importance of heeding evacuation orders issued by officials, especially given the abundance of dry vegetation and the proximity of canyons surrounding their area.
Waterfall expressed concern about the flammability of their cedar shake roof and palm fronds, likening the potential fire hazard to a 'bottle rocket.' The family's proactive approach to preparedness and swift response to the evacuation order underscored the critical need for vigilance and readiness in the face of natural disasters.
