A California couple, Alex Shekarchian and Moogega Cooper, experienced a second devastating natural disaster in a matter of months, losing their home in the unprecedented firestorm ravaging Los Angeles County. After surviving Hurricane Milton in Florida, they now join thousands of residents displaced by the Eaton Fire and other wildfires fueled by Santa Ana winds. Despite the immense tragedy, they remain determined to rebuild and contribute to the recovery of their community.
A California couple, Alex Shekarchian and Moogega Cooper, found themselves facing a second devastating natural disaster in a matter of months. After surviving Hurricane Milton in Florida back in October, they now find themselves among thousands of residents who have lost their homes in the unprecedented firestorm ravaging Los Angeles County. The Eaton Fire , fueled by hurricane-strength winds, ripped through the communities of Altadena and Pasadena, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The couple described witnessing a 'lightning strike of fire' in the hills near their home, a terrifying spectacle that foreshadowed the inferno to come. When Shekarchian returned home that evening, he found Cooper sitting inside by candlelight, a haunting reminder of their previous ordeal with Hurricane Milton.Cooper shared that the fire spread with incredible speed, engulfing their neighborhood with alarming haste. 'I actually didn't realize I was going to lose my home until we saw the news of the fire spreading far beyond where mentally I was prepared for them even to go,' she recounted. Even after evacuating, Cooper believed they would return to an intact home, only to be met with the devastating reality of complete loss. Despite the immense tragedy, Shekarchian and Cooper remain resolute in their determination to rebuild. They are fortunate to have home insurance and have already made the decision to reconstruct their lives in Altadena. 'I think of it as not necessarily losing a physical structure, but we lost a home, we temporarily lost that sense of community,' Cooper explained. 'And that's why I want to rebuild.' Shekarchian echoed her sentiment, stating, 'It was an easy decision when we knew that we wanted to be part of that rebuild with restaurants we lost, the stores we lost.' Adding to their burdens, Shekarchian revealed that he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer just days before the fires erupted. Yet, amidst the chaos and devastation, he finds solace in the movie 'Wicked,' which he says helps him navigate the challenging times. 'We're just dancing through life kind of,' he said, highlighting their resilience and determination to find joy even in the face of adversity.Another couple from Altadena, Jeffrey and Cheryl Ku, witnessed the terrifying start of the Eaton Fire. They believe they were among the first to spot the blaze igniting near an electrical transmission tower on Tuesday evening. Cheryl Ku recalled the chilling moment she called 911 as the flames rapidly advanced towards their home. A Ring doorbell camera captured the harrowing aftermath, showing Jeffrey desperately trying to hose down their house while frantically monitoring the fire's progression. 'It was a nightmare,' Jeffrey Ku admitted, describing the relentless spread of the flames. 'And I think the worst part was every time I checked on the fire, it got worse.
California Wildfires Eaton Fire Hurricane Milton Disasters Los Angeles Home Loss Rebuilding Santa Ana Winds
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