No one can deny that Lake County has been going through a horrible ordeal this last week and there are still some trying times ahead. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed along with the precious memories and unreplaceable keepsakes that make a house a home. No one can bring back the lives lost and return things back to the way they were. Our hearts are broken over the loss and we mourn with those who lost loved ones.
The generous and self-sacrificing people of our area have stepped up and reached out to their neighbors in their time of need and continue to do so with their time and resources. I have read dozens of stories about individuals and groups going way above and beyond to help those who have been displaced by this horrible fire. It is times like this that brings out the best in humanity.
Once the fire is controlled and extinguished people will return to their homes, or what’s left of them, life will go on.
So what is in store for our beloved Lake County? Where do we go from here? As Little Orphan Annie sings, “The sun will come up tomorrow!”
Lake County will rise from the ashes and rebuild. Most of the houses and businesses are insured and will be replaced with new construction. That will bring millions of dollars into the county and will create hundreds of new jobs, stimulating the local economy. Rentals will be needed to house the displaced residents as well as construction workers, restaurants will be busy, as well as the lumber yards and all the related businesses that support this new construction. Even though this building boom will be temporary, it will have longer term effects on the county and neighborhoods that have the new construction because newer homes bring higher values to entire neighborhoods. So it seems that every cloud does have a silver lining.
Will Lake County survive this? Of course. Will it have long term effects? Yes, both bad and good. One thing is for sure, years from now no one will forget the Lake County fires in the summer of 2015.
Ray Perry is the 2013 Realtor of the Year for Lake County and works for CPS Country Air Properties. He can be reached at 277-8000.
