The Los Angeles Times reported on September 19th, 2017, that Southern California has a high possibility of being hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.2. It further stated that since the San Andreas fault runs under and very close to densely populated areas, such a quake would cause major destruction (Northridge was a 6.7)
Scientists say that an 8.2 quake would rupture the San Andreas fault, fracturing cities throughout Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The fault is about 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles so an earthquake of this magnitude will do untold damage and cause enormous casualties. Things like foundation stability and electrical wiring could be affected, possibly requiring attention from an Electrician in Joshua Tree or other electrical companies in the Los Angeles area, although this may not be the priority for hoarders. This article addresses what we can do as a community to help hoarders prepare for these kinds of natural disasters.
We have described hoarded homes as having clutter from floor to ceiling, hundreds of stray animals and then there are those who are collectors of yarn, bottles, magazines, and all manner of things. It?s not only their house that?s full, but their driveway and yard as well. Now, if you know someone in this situation, please don?t judge them.
A hoarded home is a hazard not only for the hoarder, but also for the neighborhood. Inside are disasters just waiting to happen; they can barely walk from one room to the other, let alone get to the front or back door! It is ripe for a fire at any given moment, with very little chance for survival! Throw in an 8.2 magnitude quake and imagine the resulting catastrophe when the roof collapses. The chances of survival would be slim and rescue efforts would be seriously hampered, sifting through the debris of a hoarded home. Then further on, providing there are survivors, the repair of the said roof by home renovation companies like Bordner Home Improvement or others, wouldn’t be able to continue (or perhaps even start) without the house being cleared first.
As a community, during these times when Southern California is overdue for an earthquake, we need to team up to get hoarders out of their current living conditions and get them the help they so desperately need. Of course it fully depends on the hoarder?s wishes, but as a community we should give them some options. No one knows what will happen in terms of natural disasters. You could be sitting at home relaxing one minute and the next, you’re whole house has been lifted off it’s hinges and you’re possessions are all on the ground. The situations may appear worse in a hoarders’ home, This is why it is always best to have a backup plan. It makes sense to be prepared for anything that may happen. Something like a bug out bag would be good to have for you and your family in case of emergencies and help you survive any scenario you find yourself in. Essentially, the bag should carry the necessities needed to help you survive for the first 72 hours. Everyone’s kit will be different, so it’s up to you to pick the most efficient ways of keeping safe. Everyone needs a bit of a helping hand, no matter the circumstance.
It’s not enough to just care about gas shut off valve installations when it comes to hoarders. Although turning utilities off at the value is good to do during an earthquake, there are other things that need to be considered.
The easiest way is to get them into an assisted living facility to get medical help or into a new home that is safe. Perhaps even a coach to teach them how to live safely and keep their hoarding desires in check. All of this sounds great, but you may ask what happens to their hazardous home? Well here is where we can help; we buy the home as is. We do an assessment, provide a cash offer upfront and close the sale and purchase agreement within 10 days. It is a win win because the owner gets cash to move on and we turn the hoarded home into something beautiful. An earthquake may later destroy that beautiful home, but at least the hoarder is in safe hands and we take on the risks associated with natural disasters.
So, how can we get hoarders the help they need when we see earthquake warnings for Southern California?
- If you know of someone living in an unsafe situation, try talking to them to see if they want/need help to prepare for an earthquake.
- If you sense they are scared and unsure about how to make their home safer, suggest speaking with us at hoarderhomes.com; we can offer a cash purchase price, so they can simply move somewhere safer.
- If you feel they don?t want to make changes, respect their wishes but know that you were a Good Samaritan by making the suggestion.
- If you feel the hoarder is simply unable to make a decision, and is perhaps unclear on what their options are, either get help through the city, local law enforcement or talk to us and we can brainstorm the best ways to get them clarity.
If you are watching the clean up in Mexico City, just think how this will play out for a hoarded home. Reach out today and save a life.
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