KEEPING ALERT
With the situation rapidly changing, Ms Lim and Ms Shabnam said they are constantly checking their phones for updates.
“We’re getting so many messages and notifications now but there’s an app that we’re all connected to over here, which updates everybody,” said Ms Shabnam.
“So everyone is on watch duty to keep alert to what’s happening in their neighbourhood and surroundings.”
“The winds are very unpredictable so we cannot make a decision to go somewhere because everything can change in a few hours. So right now, we’re just watching the space and the news, our bags are also packed so if anything happens here, we’re ready to drive further down south, along the coast towards San Diego.”
For Ms Lim, school has been suspended until the end of the week and she expects to stay in Temple city for at least another two nights until it is safe for her to return home.
“My neighbour went back this afternoon to take stuff and she said that our house is okay, it’s just that there’s a lot of soot that got in through the window,” she said.
“But the sad part is that a lot of the landmarks that I knew or used to go to have been burnt down and I know of people who lost their homes and their jobs.
“It’s really heavy to think about how things will never be the same,” she said, as her voice quivered.
