At the height of the Hawk Fire evacuation orders and warnings, nearly 90,000 community members were forced to leave their homes or prepare to leave at a moment’s notice.
The Red Cross of Northern Nevada immediately opened a shelter to house evacuees and has seen a significant jump in the number of people using the shelter in comparison to the recent Bug and Stallion Fires.
At the height of those evacuations, the number forced from their homes was closer to 20,000.
The Red Cross says they are ready for those who need help, no matter the number.
“We have a lot of capacity here. One of the problems we had in the beginning was just gathering enough cots for everyone. That problem has been solved,” said Elizabeth Morse, a volunteer with the Red Cross of Northern Nevada. “So, if new evacuations are needed, we will be able to take anyone who comes.”
The shelter hosted just under 250 people Sunday night at its facility at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on E. Peckham Lane. Saturday night it was closer to 500.
For evacuees, it's a safe and free space with supplies to get them through a very difficult time.
“It was terrifying, and it was sad. And it was very crazy. So because it was just everybody going everywhere, and everyone was just scattered,” said Lisa Kopicko, an evacuee of the Hawk Fire. “Everyone here is amazing. They're all volunteers, and they have all come together.”
The Red Cross reached out to its partners at the Salvation Army to help make sure everyone is fed while they wait for the news that they can go back home; some meals are donated by restaurants in the area, but not all.
“We also have a team where we make meals as well,” said Major Randy Hartt, the Northern Nevada Coordinator for Salvation Army. “But it's good to have those partners who can help us when our crews are overwhelmed, to be able to take a meal or two and to be able to help us out.”
Something else for evacuees to keep in mind is the cost of supplies they’ve bought due to their displacement. Insurance companies recommend that those who have homeowners’ policies or renters’ insurance keep all of their receipts related to their displacement and submit them for reimbursement. Most companies will ask folks to pay their deductible, and then they will cover any additional costs submitted under their ‘Loss of Use Endorsement.’
