Bastrop, Texas, Wildfire Nearly Contained, Thousands Left Homeless
Bastrop, Texas, Wildfire Nearly Contained, Thousands Left Homeless
20 September 2011
published by www.insurancejournal.com
USA — A wildfire that began more than two weeks ago in Bastrop County is 95 percent contained, according to the Texas Forest Service. The area is about 25 miles east of Austin. The TFS reports that the cause of the fire was most likely electrical in nature.
Thousands of Bastrop County residents have sought temporary housing after the loss of nearly 1,600 homes in the fire that began over the Labor Day weekend. The wildfire started in two separate locations and is known as the Bastrop County Complex fire. It has become the costliest wildfire in Texas history, according to the Insurance Council of Texas.
The ICT reported that insurance companies are picking up many of the expenses of policyholders affected by the fire by providing additional living expenses that helps pay for clothing, food, transportation and a temporary place to live. Insurance adjusters are in the process of working with every homeowner to assess the damage and help begin the rebuilding process.
It will be a slow recovery period simply because of the number of people required in the rebuilding effort, said Mark Hanna, a spokesman for the ICT. Each homeowner who wants to rebuild should conduct due diligence in finding the right building contractor.
While hundreds of homes were destroyed, many others appeared to have been untouched. Insurance adjusters recommend that homeowners get more than one estimate to repair any fire or smoke damage before making a financial commitment.
Community leaders in the city and county are working together to urge displaced homeowners to rebuild. Many of the subdivisions that burned were filled with retirees who have indicated they may move elsewhere. Even people whose homes survived the massive blaze have said it will be hard for them to return to an area where their neighbors homes are gone and their blanket of pine trees scorched.
Many retirees say they wont build another home, said Susan Nogues of Nogues Real Estate in Bastrop. Some have said they dont have the time to see the forest come back.
Nogues and community leaders have developed a new Web site called renewbastrop.com, which is providing local information on available housing, building contractors and dates on public forums to inform citizens of the latest in the clean-up operations.
Susan Wendel, director of the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, said there is a huge community spirit in the town of 7,200. Were still here and were going to come out of this stronger, Wendel said.
Insurance Council of Texas initially estimated that the Bastrop fire caused at least $150 million in insured losses. That number is expected to rise.
