by: Heather D. Reese

It would have seemed foolish to care about money at a crisis moment, but looking back there are lessons to learn.

Monday started like any other day until we got the call to evacuate. I consider myself a planner. I planned as best I could for this type of event. I had all of my important documents packed and ready, gas in both cars, and a plan to get us all out... this included 2 cats, 2 dogs, 2 kids and us 2 adults. We grabbed clothes and toiletries and a few cases of water and we were gone. Although we were told to leave we had enough time to get these things. Had it looked worse we would have grabbed the kids and animals and gone.

I soon learned that there were "missing pieces" to my evacuation plan.

#1 If you have pets, include their vaccination records in your important paper box. We ended up staying the first night in a hotel that was pet friendly, however at over $400 a night we only stayed 1 night until we could come up with a better plan. The next morning I secured them a spot at a boarding facility. They were understanding and waived our proof of vaccinations but we ended up having them vaccinated any ways to the tune of over $200 because I wasn't sure if I could find another understanding boarding facility at the next stop and I didn't want to risk having no place to take them. Had I had the record, that $200 would have been saved. For the record, the place we had their shots done at was also evacuated so there was no way to get their records.

#2 Plan your evacuation routes to the east, west, north and south. Imagine a scenario that would have you traveling each way and were you would go. Had I had a list of pet friendly hotels I most likely could have found a cheaper hotel for that first night.

#3 Take whatever help is offered. People have been great around here. I was really worried about a "Katrina" like response to this disaster that we stayed away from any actual evacuation centers. Once we returned I was given a tour of one on the evacuations centers and I was beyond surprised! There were no needs or wants forgotten... Quallcomm stadium even had people giving free hand and arm massages!

The most important lesson I learned is that lives are the most important thing. Money may come and go, but you only get one chance at being alive!

My husband and I have traded shifts helping the local fire department answer phone calls from residence about re-population and emergency needs assistance... I am so proud of our community! My thoughts are with those that have suffered losses.