If you look at the climate predictions for the west for the next few decades, this is quite possibly the new normal.
Air quality in San Francisco definitely worse this morning. Sky is grey over the city, getting dense to the north. The smell of smoke, of burning wood, is particularly pronounced this morning. In a city where most neighborhoods are built primarily of wood, itās an alarming smell.
Many of those who evacuated have come to the city to stay with relatives and friends. Itās prohibitively expensive to take hotel accommodations for any length of time here, so many after a few days are heading south down the peninsula looking for more affordable lodgings.
Many local stores and organizations are making individual efforts to help those in emergency shelters.
Another day of high winds in the North Bay is expected, so no relief in sight.
Hurricanes worse in the Gulf and Caribbean; fires worse in the west. Here in the east end of Tornado Alley, hailstorms have totaled every roof for miles around twice in the last five years.
Iām anticipating multiple F5s for months on end next spring.
And with every unprecedented climate disaster that has befallen our country, trump sees this as the perfect time to undo Obama era regulations restricting coal fired plants. But he is not finished ā the world needs a good dose of radioactive fallout. If I were a believer, I would note that trump certainly fits the profile of the anti-christ. Not to make your day any worse, but:
When the Jews return to Zion
And a comet rips the sky
And the Holy Roman Empire rises,
Then You and I must die.
From the eternal sea he rises,
Creating armies on either shore,
Turning man against his brother
āTil man exists no more.
Note that Trump hasnāt said a single word about this disaster.
California is getting the Puerto Rico hate treatement from Trump without his bothering with the dialog.
Once again, Trump is proving to be president only of those parts of the country that like him, or are useful to his aims.
If there were a Trump property in downtown Santa Rosa, heād have FEMA all over this place.
Noted. The silence is deafening. He only responds to those he sees as his voters. Perhaps the municipalities of wine country rebuffed his efforts to build a golf course? Payback.
I have no belief in a higher power, but more than a little bit of my lizardbrain feels like God Himself is pissed at the United States for recent current events.
Friends of mine are among those evacuated from their homes in Santa Rosa. Thankfully, all are OK but this is devastating. Trumpās lack of comment is not surprising as he does not see this area as supportive of him. Just as Puerto Ricans are Americans so are those in Northern CA.
Pray for rain and calm winds.
He then went on to propose that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the military and first responders ā who he said āhave been amazing (under the most difficult circumstances)ā ā cannot stay in the State of California āforever!ā
Daughter in contact with some of her Berkeley friends. They tell her everything smells of smoke also a red flag warning for the Oakland hills tonight.
Dear Democratic Party:
Casualty losses, such as those caused by fire, wind, and flooding are largely deductible from Federal taxable income on Schedule A.
Please be ready to take advantage of this fact as the GOP works on its bogus tax āreformā plan to destroy social welfare programs by giving massive tax cuts to wealthy people and corporations.
If the GOP says that deductions for mortgage interest and charitable giving will be preserved, tell the nation that the GOP is taking away the casualty deduction to give a big tax cut to the people who already have big piles of money.
When the GOP complains that the claim is false, because the details arenāt final, tell the nation the the GOP wonāt commit to preserving the casualty deduction.
When the GOP repeats reassurances that this is a major reform that will stimulate the economy and leave everyone with more money in their pockets, tell the nation that the GOP wants to keep the plan hidden until the last minute, because the details, like the loss of the casualty deduction are a disaster for the middle class. Remind the nation that the GOPās last secret reform plan gave a big tax cut to the people with big piles of money and left 30 million of the rest of us without health insurance.
Donāt debate the details. Describe the GOP plan in our terms, and donāt let up.
It would be smart of his handlers to keep it that way. If he starts talking, heāll say something stupid and insulting within a few multiples of 140 characters.
The last thing he needs is for all the major TV news programs to be giving Governor Brown air time after Trumpp gave the state nothing but insults.
A lot more astounding pics here
āNeither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed roundsā Nor devastating fires, apparently.
Former San Francisco resident here, now living on the east coast. Thinking of everyone who has been affected by the fires in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and Napa Valley. I have many happy memories of visiting all of these places over a decade ago. I hope the fires can be contained soon and that those who are missing will be found safe. The loss of so many lives and property is already beyond comprehension.
Good times here in my neck of the woods. So far, we are okay, but I have friends who have lost everything. I donāt remember ever caring so much about which way the wind blows. It is supposed to come up again this weekend, so we are packed and ready to leave. Egad, what a year.
From Sacramento today watched tanker after tanker land and takeoff from my office. All day, every few minutes. 747, MD-11, BAe 146, old 4 prop cargo planes, S2s and other small jets. Theyā're throwing everything they have at this and its still getting worse. Thinking of all the Sonoma County residents and hoping for relief for them soon. This could easily be my town in the Sierra Foothills in the forest.
Iāve told my family and friends who live in CA, I will visit but never live there. They are always bragging about how nice and warm it is when we on the East Coast are dealing with cold weather and snow. I tell them all the timeā¦no forest fires, mud slides or earthquakesā¦snow melts.
Iām keeping a good thought. Cousins in Anaheim have posted pictures of the devastation up to their backyard. So far, so good. Friends in NoCal, are sleeping with one eye open and one closed.
The United States is indeed one of the most unique places on earth to have the kind of diversity of geography she has. My fervent wish is for those affected to be safe.
Those photos of Santa Rosa are utterly heartbreaking.
The sunlight had an amber, evening-like quality all day in San Francisco, even at noon. Yesterdayās setting sun was blood red, and we had a crimson sunrise.
Entire neighborhoods and communities gone in a flash. Iām so sorry for everyone, and Iām sorry for our country. Our national suffering has been relentless, of late.