The story of how Meryl Streep evacuated her home during the LA wildfires is harrowing
3 min readMeryl Streep’s experience during the recent Los Angeles wildfires is a harrowing tale of determination and resilience. According to her nephew, Abe Streep, a contributor to New York Magazine, the three-time Oscar-winning actress had to act quickly and decisively when ordered to evacuate her home on January 8, the day after both the Palisades and Eaton Fires had begun raging.
As Meryl Streep attempted to leave her property, she discovered that her only exit was blocked by a large tree that had fallen in her driveway. Despite the obstacle, Streep refused to let the fire trap her. In a remarkable display of resourcefulness, she borrowed wire cutters from a neighbor and proceeded to cut a hole large enough to fit her car in the fence that separated her property from the neighbor’s. With this makeshift exit, she was able to drive through their yard and escape the encroaching flames.
The wildfires in Los Angeles—specifically the Palisades and Eaton Fires—are now considered some of the most destructive in the city’s history. As the flames continue to burn, residents are left to assess the devastating damage to their homes and communities. While the official damage assessments are still in progress, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has estimated that more than 16,200 structures were damaged or destroyed in the fires.
Meryl Streep’s dramatic evacuation was not an isolated incident. Many residents in the affected areas faced similar challenges. Joseph Kindred, an Altadena resident and director known as Jo Lenz, shared his own harrowing experience. Kindred and his family had remained in their home on the night of January 7, but by the early hours of January 8, the situation had become dire. He woke from a brief nap to find the situation worsening, and with burning embers falling around him, he quickly realized they needed to evacuate immediately. “Make sure you hold my hand. We don’t have time to pack anything,” he told his family as they fled their home. In addition to the destruction of his house, Kindred also lost valuable cameras and hard drives in the fire, including footage he had filmed of late rapper Nipsey Hussle, which had never been seen before.
Actor Martin Short, known for his role in Only Murders in the Building, also faced significant difficulties during his evacuation from the Palisades Fire. Short found himself stuck in his car for over an hour, trying to cover a distance that normally would have taken just five minutes. Although his house was ultimately spared, one of his two sons was not so fortunate, as his home was destroyed in the blaze.
The toll of the wildfires has been devastating, with at least 29 reported deaths in the Southern California region. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that 17 deaths were attributed to the Eaton Fire and 12 to the Palisades Fire. As the fires continue to ravage the area, the death toll is expected to rise, and the long process of recovery and rebuilding will undoubtedly take years.
For many residents, including celebrities like Streep, the wildfires have left an indelible mark. Their stories of survival highlight the widespread impact of the fires, which have affected people from all walks of life. As the flames continue to burn and the destruction unfolds, those impacted by the fires must now confront not only the physical damage to their homes and possessions but also the emotional and psychological toll of such a traumatic event.
While Streep’s bravery in handling the evacuation of her home serves as an inspiring example of personal resilience, it also underscores the broader crisis facing the region. The fires are not only a natural disaster but also a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of wildfires in California, and the many lives they continue to disrupt and devastate. With the future still uncertain, the true extent of the damage and loss may take months, if not years, to fully understand.
Source: CNN
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