In the serene little enclave of Pacific Palisades, where ocean views meet hillside charm, an Irish couple recently found themselves caught in a nightmare that’s become all too familiar in the west—a devastating wildfire that swept through their community like a runaway freight train. Dermot and Anne Tuohy, who boldly describe their current situation as that of the “lucky ones,” have become unwitting witnesses to the destructive fury of nature.
“Our part of the Palisades, known as the ‘highlands,’ only got a partial haircut,” Mr. Tuohy humorously quipped during his interview with RTÉ News. “But the ‘village’—ah, it got the full-blown shave. It’s gone; just like that!” His words echoed the melancholy truth that much of their vibrant community has been reduced to ashes. The couple’s home, though spared from total destruction, lies on the boundary of a calamity that has left their social circle shaken to its core.
With a touch of solemn reality, Mrs. Tuohy painted a picture of the before and after of their beloved neighborhood. “Most of our friends live in the Village area; their homes have vanished. Our church? Ashes. Every shop, bank, and school? Completely incinerated,” she lamented. You can almost hear the collective heartache of a tight-knit community that has suddenly found itself fragmented.
The couple’s dash to safety became a harrowing tale in itself, unfolding like a gripping thriller. On a fateful Tuesday, just after the clock struck 10:30 AM when the fire broke out, they hopped into their cars, ready to escape the brewing storm. “The first three hours were the most terrifying,” Mr. Tuohy recounted, his eyes reflecting the chaos that ensued. “We were at the bottom of the canyon, but Palisades Drive was ablaze. Can you imagine? Fire blocking the way—what a sight!” With flames licking at their heels, they were forced to turn back and retreat. They eventually found themselves safely back home, though not for long. Within an hour, police arrived on the scene, ready to safely escort them out of harm’s way.
Now, more than a week later, and with the wildfire just 11% contained, the couple is living at their son Mark’s home in Mar Vista, near the picturesque Venice Beach. “Ironic, isn’t it? Living in one of the most scenic cities in the world and feeling like a fish out of water,” Dermot mused, as he tried to make light of the situation. The Tuohys, who hail from a small town about the size of Sligo back in Ireland, now find themselves among a community of approximately 23,000 people, all grappling with the aftermath of the fire. “We’ve got eight churches here, and every last one is going to need a whole lot of prayer to rebuild,” he quipped, chuckling through the haze of sorrow.
“But we will rebuild,” he asserted firmly, infused with Irish resilience. “And we’ll do it with a little help from Uncle Sam,” he continued, acknowledging the promised federal aid that, though slow in coming, may eventually restore their home. Yet, with the community feeling a bit like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces, he added, “It’s going to be a tall order to pull everyone back together. It’s like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube.”
As the smoke begins to settle, the blame game regarding the fire’s management has ignited like a summer campfire. However, Mrs. Tuohy offered a refreshing perspective, saying, “Look, sure, maybe there weren’t enough officials at the end of Palisades Drive to guide us out, but bless their hearts, they tried their best.” She noted the frantic winds whipping at 50 to 70 mph only added to the chaos, making the situation exponentially more challenging. “This is the way it goes after a catastrophe; people start pointing fingers like it’s a game of tag. But let’s not play that,” she insisted with a wave of her hand. “They did what they could.”
In a poignant twist, Dermot, a former director with IDA Ireland on the West Coast, highlighted a robust Irish community in LA composed of over 270 individuals connected through social media. Sadly, many of them have felt the heat of this latest disaster. “We’re not just neighbors; we’re family, and when family hurts, it’s a blow to us all,” he reflected, his eyes momentarily clouded by the weight of shared sorrow.
As the Tuohys navigate this unpredictable chapter in their lives, their story serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. They may be displaced, but their hope for rebuilding remains as steadfast as an Irish sunrise. With community bonds frayed but not broken, the heart of Pacific Palisades beats on, waiting to be restored.
Report by Axadle
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
