Travelers arriving in Chicago describe devastating LA fires
Travelers flying out of LA are sharing firsthand stories about the tragic destruction they left behind.
Since Tuesday, the firestorms have ravaged Los Angeles County, destroying more than 9,000 homes. By Thursday night, at least 7 people had died, but the death toll is likely to increase.
At O’Hare International Airport on Thursday, passengers shared heartbreaking accounts of what it is like on the ground—where the air is thick with smoke and heavy with emotion.
One traveler shared stunning photos with FOX 32 Chicago that she took from the air as her plane left LAX on Thursday afternoon.
Passengers are describing the damage as apocalyptic.
California resident Brent Barlow shares that many of his friends and family members had to flee the area and some of them lost everything.
“Everything, everything, it’s… I live in Orange County currently, which is about 50-60 miles south. Drove north to LAX, the sky was brown and in the last 48 hours, the stories have just gotten worse and worse,” said Barlow. “I have a lot of friends in the Palisades whose houses are razed.”
Meanwhile, Laura Shulman, who lives in the Chicago suburbs, tells FOX 32 that she arrived in Los Angeles for vacation on Tuesday—minutes before the fires started.
She captured video from her hotel balcony in Beverly Hills showing thick, black smoke in the distance.
She says by Tuesday night, local families who were forced to evacuate, began checking into the hotel to seek refuge.
“It was just the saddest thing I’ve ever seen, families with their kids and their pets, and just whatever they could grab and brought to the hotel. The hotel did an amazing job,” Shulman said. “People were just fleeing. The hotel was like, ‘don’t go anywhere, don’t go out to dinner.’ We went outside last night, and you couldn’t breathe the smoke.”
Shulman added that the winds were so bad on Wednesday, they were essentially blowing palm trees sideways.
She ultimately decided to cut her trip short—hopeful that her room would be used by someone who really needed it.
Conclusion
The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County have left a trail of destruction and heartbreak in their wake. As travelers arrive in Chicago, they are sharing their firsthand accounts of the devastation, describing the damage as “apocalyptic.” The fires have destroyed over 9,000 homes and claimed at least 7 lives, with the death toll expected to rise. As the city begins to rebuild, the stories of those affected by the fires will be a reminder of the devastating impact of these natural disasters.
FAQs
* How many homes have been destroyed in the Los Angeles County wildfires?
+ Over 9,000 homes have been destroyed.
* How many people have died in the Los Angeles County wildfires?
+ At least 7 people have died, with the death toll expected to rise.
* What is the current situation in Los Angeles?
+ The city is still reeling from the devastating impact of the wildfires, with many residents forced to flee their homes and seek shelter. The air is thick with smoke, and the city is working to rebuild and recover.
