San Diego wildfire evacuation

Last Monday, I left Los Angeles (where I had spent the weekend with friends) around 7 AM to drive down to San Diego by way of Santa Margarita Catholic and Saint Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano. Expecting heavy traffic, I left plenty of time to arrive by 8:40 for my first visit. (Wrong.) The traffic seemed more congested than what would seem "normal" in southern CA, and pretty soon I began noticing smoke and radio personalities alluding to fires and closed freeways. I knew about the Malibu canyon fire as I had planned to visit Pepperdine Univ on Sunday afternoon, but had no idea at this point that the Santa Ana winds had stirred things up any further south.

Around 9 AM, I finally arrived 20 minutes late to my first school visit where students were talking about the elusive fires that had started in San Diego. "Hmm", I thought, "I'm sure it will be fine" (first indication that I'm not from SoCal). As I headed to my second school, I received a phone call from my frantic mother in Columbus, GA about the news coverage she had seen on CNN that morning. I assured her everything was fine and that I was headed to another school before I made the 40 mile trek to my final destination for the week, SD. (Wrong again). After my visit at SMES, I was chatting with the counselor who realized that I was on my way to San Diego. "Chancey", he said, "I really think you better consider getting the heck out of dodge..." As I climbed in my car and headed down I-5, I noticed an eerie orange sky, dark smoke, and realized that the stand still line of cars headed north was probably not a good sign as I cruised at 70mph in the southbound lane. At this point, I began calling schools. Closed. Hmm... One counselor that I did reach recommended that I consider leaving. At this point, I called my colleague, James Onwuachi, who checked the news, confirmed the 7 (and multiplying!)fires in San Diego, and (much to my parents' relief) booked me on the first flight back to Nashville. I was 30 miles from the SD airport and I drove straight there, dropping my admissions materials off at the UPS store and filling up my rental car with gas before checking into my flight.

It was not until I hit ground in BNA that I realized the implications of the wildfire outbreak. Over 1 million people evacuated. Over 1,500 homes lost. So many families affected by this tragic natural disaster. When I woke up the next morning and heard rain pattering on the roof above my bed, I wished I was waking up at the San Diego Hampton Inn and that the rain was controlling the raging fires.

The past week has been adjustment as most of my time has been spent sitting in my office thinking about families and students back in SoCal. With the onset of the next season in admissions (rather than "Winter", it's called "Reading"), I don't think I'll be able to reschedule my visits in San Diego this fall. Though, my heart is with the thousands that have lost their homes and communities. I've heard from many students and counselors who say that they have been able to return home and that schools are reopening. Life may be returning to normal for some, but the effects of the fire will undoubtedly outlast the remaining flames and ash.

To the southern Californians out there, we're thinking of you at Vanderbilt.