Middletown >> The smoke may have cleared but the fate of many Valley Fire victims is still hazy. The Lake County Local Assistance Center (LAC) has been set up to help residents take the first steps to rebuild their homes and lives.
“The LAC provides resources to get back on their feet and get on their way,” said public information officer Tim Runion working for the Lake County Office of Emergency Services (OES).
More than 25 companies and agencies representing government and nonprofit entities on the local, state and federal levels have set up at the Middletown Senior Center where the LAC is stationed.
Residents have a variety of services available to them that include everything from prescription refills to assistance filing insurance claims. They can get help with housing from the Lake County Community Development Department and Lake County Housing Commission.
State agencies are waiving fees for fire victims. The California Department of Vital Records is providing documents such as marriage licenses and birth certificates with two-day turn around times. Residents can also order new driver’s licenses from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Still, other agencies provide food, clothing and basic necessities. And as people continue to look at what’s gone and what’s salvageable, the LAC offers free masks and gloves.
“It’s too early to say what people will do,” in terms of housing Runion said. “There’s just too much going on, it’s way too early for survivors to start rebuilding.”
Before that can begin, hazardous materials must be removed from the burn locations, and property owners can sign up for lab testing, removal and disposal no cost at the LAC. Federal and state assessment teams will test each site for toxic residuals and asbestos content. Once complete, each site will be left ready to rebuild.
As part of those efforts, the Lake County OES will host a community meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Middletown High School football field to connect residents with contractors and other agencies specializing in disaster relief.
Runion encourages people to visit the LAC regularly during its hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“Don’t try to eat the elephant in one sitting,” Runion said. “Come by and use a different resource every day. You don’t have to do everything in one shot.”
Things started off slowly when the LAC first opened its doors on Saturday, Runion said residents were understandably more interested in seeing what was left of their homes. But when people started coming in that afternoon, they were “absolutely dishevels and shocked” from seeing the destruction in their neighborhoods “but people have really come together.”
Runion noted several people who received help from the LAC returned to serve as volunteers the following day.
As of Wednesday morning, the LAC has served more than 500 families and Runion anticipates another wave of residents to come through the doors once Anderson Springs and other areas of Cobb open for repopulation.
The center will continue to operate until at least Oct. 3. Runion said it will remain in place as long as residents need services.
Call 888-565-2787 or visit lakecountylac.com for additional resources or information. The Middletown Senior Center is located at 21256 Washington St.
