Unlucky Woman Tempts Nature - Again

From Katrina To The Wildfires, Dayna Czermak Has Been Tormented By Disaster

(CBS)  Dayna Czermak might be the unluckiest woman on the planet. Her house by Lake Arrowhead is in the line of fire.

“The flames were five stories high!” she said.

Along with a tiny band of neighbors, she is defying mandatory evacuation orders.

“We’re the ones who refused to leave,” a neighbor said.

You see, she’s been through much worse, CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports.

She lived in New Orleans for 18 years, until Katrina destroyed her home. She and her family fled to Houston where Hurricane Rita forced her and her family to run again.

Three weeks ago she moved into a house in California, just in time for this firestorm.

And if that weren’t enough, as a child in California, a fire almost destroyed her home.

Then there was the day in 1994 when she flew back to visit her brother in Northridge … yes, the very day of the Northridge earthquake.

Does she feel like she’s been hounded by the fates?

“Yes, I do,” she laughed.

But she doesn’t feel unlucky.

“I don't feel unlucky,” she said. “I do feel like disaster is following me.”

But she’s not crazy. She sent two kids to safety off the mountain. She packed her car in case the fire jumps the ridge.

She said she stayed because three-year-old Nicholai is sick and his hospital is just down the road. A crowded evacuation center, she feels, would be worse for him.

But then there is this:

“You get tired of running and nature has ruled my life,” she said. “And taken away my home on many occasions and I don't want to lose it.”

And maybe, just maybe, standing her ground, looking fate in the eye might break her cycle of bad luck.

[susanhelit]

She''s an idiot, and she''s risking her child''s life for no good reason.

[susanhelit]

Someone like her got himself killed (his choice), his 15 year old son burned over 50% of his body, and 4 of our desperately needed firefighters hospitalized trying to protect the idiot who wouldn''t evacuate when he should!

[ralphj53]

October 24, 2007
Hello;
I can UNDERSTAND why people DON''T ant to leave their homes. If you had a neighbor, and that neighbor let you know that a group of criminals had plans on commiting a home invasion robbery on your home within the hour, would you leave your kids behind and FLEE?

This MUST be the feeling that most people who WANT to stay behind... must have. And you can''t blame them. After all, the FIRE CHIEF already said that there aren''t enough FIRE FIGHTERS to contain ALL FIRES raging at once, then you must feel RESPONSIBLE for fighting this fire YOURSELF, if need be.

But then, think.. what if the water PRESSURE runs very low... BECAUSE AFTER ALL, the fire Department is USING this WATER PRESSURE... to fight other fires as well.

So, how do you fight FIRES... ready to ENGULF your home? With sheer TENACITY? That''s not enough of a RESOURCE to go on.

The ANSWER may be in making sure the home you purchase is made of FIRE RESISTANT MATERIAL. Then, you at least may have a FIGHTING CHANCE.

Just a thought.
Thanks,
slim6744

[ejzell]

Is she related to Stassi Schroeder? Interesting resemblance.

[lczermak]

Its easy to call my wife an idiot when sitting in your home in whereever USA, but until you understand the whole situation save the slander for someone who really deserves it. Me and Dayna would never put our son.s life in jeoprody. He was sick, the air quality was actually better here than down the mountain, a registered nurse was looking after his health, and many people including the police were giving us information to ensure we would be able to evacuate if needed. We have lived through more than a few disasters and in fact believe that evacuation is the absolute thing to do in most cases, but in this case it was not, so save your harsh words for another.... Maybe the guy who started some of these killer fires.

Lance Czermak
Lake Arrowhead, CA

[stassis1]

My mother is a remarkable intelligient woman, who, because she has gone through so much in her life, has acquired so much wisdom. She would never do anything to jeopardize my brother''s life. She had received notice that the fire is NOT coming towards her home; hence the reason she is still there.

Why don''t we all pray for the victims thus far, and those that still may be affected days from now.

Stassi

[lloydbest1]

Posted by Lczermak at 10:26 PM : Oct 24, 2007

Yeah, sometimes you just have to be there. "Walk a mile in my moccasins" is surely an important bit of advice. We (including yers truly) need to follow it more often.
Lance and Dayna, hope your son gets well quickly.

[denicz]

To Dayna, L., & all the children-
We''re so glad you''re safe, we''ve been pretty worried! No one could imagine how the last 4 1/2 yrs. have tested your faith and sanity, yet you remain strong & hopeful. I say it''s time for R&R in Wyoming! Please let us know if you''re coming so we can stock up on groceries & stuff cause I''m sure you''ll be bringing a blizzard with you!! We love you! Me&Ma

[susanhelit]

The statement I see is that she''s refusing mandatory evacuation. Either the police are lying, or she is. If she is - idiot stands. If it''s not a mandatory evacuation area, then I don''t disagree with the choice to stay.

[edward1975-2009]

I hope they don''t stay too late and leave themselves plenty of escape time. Have a plan, stick to it, and don''t wait till the last second. May God keep you and your family safe.

[jewels62883]

How dare anyone criticize this woman. Put yourself in her place what would you do? Good luck to her and to all of her family especially her three year old little boy!!!!

[susanhelit]

In her place, when they say "mandatory evacuation" I evacuate. I don''t stay put. We lost 4 firefighters from the front lines to another stubborn person refusing evacuation. He lost his life, his son was burned over 50% of his body, and the 4 firefighters are in the hospital, rather than helping to save more lives and homes.

The police and fire have said that people refusing to evacuate have been a major problem, costing them manpower - and our firefighters and police are massively overstretched already on this fire. Deciding that you don''t need to evacuate makes it worse, means firefighters who should be stopping the fire have to protect you.


The shelters have everything, including medical personel. So many supplies have been donated the stadium actually had to tell people they''ve got enough, thanks.

I don''t know all of the situation, but to me, "mandatory evacuation" means leave now, or you are part of the problem.

[briannorwood]

If the next place she lives in gets devastated by locusts, I''m going back to church!

[mythoughtsr]

Instead of glorifying these IDIOTS who defy orders and put firefighters in harms'' way they should be charged for defying a public order and then fined for the manpower used to get her sorry a&& out of there when the fire gets close.

Why the media hones in on people like this are beyond me. They could use valuable time showing stories of law abiding people who are in need of help or use the air time to broadcast donation numbers for the Red Cross, FEMA, whatever.

Jewels62883, you''re probably one of those people who supported all those "poor souls" in NO who defied the evacuation orders and then caused all the problems when they screamed, "help me!!!!" when they realized how INCREDIBLY STUPID it was to defy the order. NO sympathy.

[mythoughtsr]

Lczermak, OK look. Regardless, you decided to let people into your home to interview your family. YOU opened yourself up to harsh criticism. You do not (nor do even the firefighters or none would ever die fighting a fire if they were predictable) have the knowledge of where the fire would go. Some people were running out of there houses with fire raining down into their children''s hair, brushing embers away while screaming and getting in their vehicles. These people had minutes'' warning. To exude this omnipotence and act like you are so in the know and no one would ever put children in harms'' way etc, well there is a reason they call it a mandatory evacuation. The people in the nursing home where all the elderly people died in NO said they were sure the water would never rise. If you do not want harsh criticism, then say "No" when the call for TV fame comes or you will open yourself to it.

[stephengosson]

Hope she stays away from Mt. Saint Helens!

[whispyseas]

'' ...

if war rapes babies and the u.s. invests more into domestic warfare than most countries combined invest globally in warfare, then how is it so many great folk take to the front pages and flaunt the one military in the world that blows out more three year old *** than most countries combined while calling that security?

and if making folk pay for lunch is so lucrative, why has nearly each u.s. farm been forclosed on or sold to avoid forclosure?

and why do folk build companys with cheap labor, turn up their noses at cheap labor, starve third world countrys, then pay to move their companys to third world countrys for the purpose of hiring cheap labor?

... ''

'' ...

if the world''s ''favorite'' government and media outlets are so tolerant and respectful and so equal opportunity, how is that all the lazy naked ignorant profane promiscuous blemished kids were made to disappear? forever!?

... ''

'' ... 33 sick beds per night @ 33 villages of 300 for 3.3 cents to 1.00 dollar tip per sick bed / village ... @ 1.3 billion sick beds and 6.5 billion folk, there should be 5 folk rallied around any sick bed at anytime (dancing hike naked dance dressed get well feed world porn songs and dancing hike naked dance dressed get sick tax world porn songs too) ... ''

[scoliosuxs]

It is so easy to critize others when you don''t know the facts. Stop being so critical of others. A mandatory evacuation does not mean that the police or anyone else can forcibly remove you from your home. They can strongly suggest it as in the Katrina diaster when they had people write their names and SSN on their bodies for identification. Most left after that was done. I just hope she doesn''t move to my town next. Good luck in the future.

[antoniof123]

Wow, this poor woman disasters follow her around but she always survives so maybe she does have a lot of luck.

[cosmicsunshi]

Without in any way criticizing this family, I would like to say that when the news broadcaster called her probably the unluckiest person in the world, I could not help but think about the many people who have been harmed by war, losing not only their homes and possessions, but also perhaps their families and possibly even parts of their own bodies. I just think that each person who has difficulties is not necessarily responsible for them and is making the best decision they can based on the information they have at the time. We could all be a bit more generous in our thoughts about each other and try to spread more peace and love around!

[cosmicsunshi]

Without in any way criticizing this family, I would like to say that when the news broadcaster called her probably the unluckiest person in the world, I could not help but think about the many people who have been harmed by war, losing not only their homes and possessions, but also perhaps their families and possibly even parts of their own bodies. I just think that each person who has difficulties is not necessarily responsible for them and is making the best decision they can based on the information they have at the time. We could all be a bit more generous in our thoughts about each other and try to spread more peace and love around!

[cosmicsunshi]

Without in any way criticizing this family, I would like to say that when the news broadcaster called her probably the unluckiest person in the world, I could not help but think about the many people who have been harmed by war, losing not only their homes and possessions, but also perhaps their families and possibly even parts of their own bodies. I just think that each person who has difficulties is not necessarily responsible for them and is making the best decision they can based on the information they have at the time. We could all be a bit more generous in our thoughts about each other and try to spread more peace and love around!

[cosmicsunshi]

Without in any way criticizing this family, I would like to say that when the news broadcaster called her probably the unluckiest person in the world, I could not help but think about the many people who have been harmed by war, losing not only their homes and possessions, but also perhaps their families and possibly even parts of their own bodies. I just think that each person who has difficulties is not necessarily responsible for them and is making the best decision they can based on the information they have at the time. We could all be a bit more generous in our thoughts about each other and try to spread more peace and love around!

[godseyesore-2009]

Notwithstanding her "bad luck", the choice to live in riskier areas is hers.

[cosmicsunshi]

Without in any way criticizing this family, I would like to say that when the news broadcaster called her probably the unluckiest person in the world, I could not help but think about the many people who have been harmed by war, losing not only their homes and possessions, but also perhaps their families and possibly even parts of their own bodies. I just think that each person who has difficulties is not necessarily responsible for them and is making the best decision they can based on the information they have at the time. We could all be a bit more generous in our thoughts about each other and try to spread more peace and love around!

[antoniof123]

Lance Czermak
Lake Arrowhead, CA

Posted by Lczermak at 10:26 PM : Oct 24, 2007

Absolutely true these idiots insult and don''t have a clue. I am very glad to see that you are safe and hold hope for you. These morons who insult are the very same ones who insult all those who have the misfortune of living through this sort of stuff.

Good luck.

[ecuadoriana]

I should get her to pick Lotto numbers- then I''ll play the opposite ones!

But seriously, she probably now can not get insurance of any kind- she''d be considered too much of a risk. And obviously no one will ever want to be her neighbour since she is a disaster magnet!

[nolalou]

I hope for the best for all those in California in the path of the fires! It''s always a hard call to decide rather or not to evacuate in cases like this. People faced with these decisions do not deserve to be insulted and called idiots!

Mythoughtsr , I live in New Orleans. I was lucky that I was already out of town, when Katrina hit. Even so, I can understand why some people did not evacuate. There have been many ''false alarms'' about hurricanes over the years, that either did not hit New Orleans as predicted, or ended up not being as strong as predicted, so some people feel they are not in danger.
In addition, there are many people who either did not have transportation, or did not have anywhere to go, and couldn''t afford to stay in a hotel.

[jczermak]

What does one say who is a sibling, lives in Alaska and must sit and watch 3 news channels hoping and praying their family is safe during Katrina,Rita and now the California Fires?? We are so thankful that you are safe. Norm says Mexico Lance!

[denicz]

I second that motion, Lance! Club Del Sol is calling our names!!!

[susanhelit]

I''m certain, absolutely positive, that the father of the burned 15 year old was also sure they''d be safe, that he wasn''t risking his son''s life, that the fires wouldn''t get there without warning, that he''d be able to leave if the fires got close.

[denicz]

You don''t know what L. went thru to get his children to safety after Katrina, fending off desperate people trying to carjack him while his 8 yr.old & infant were cowering in the back seat. And after they were safe, he went back to help his elderly neighbors and friends.
No one knows what the next moment will bring but I trust Lance & Dayna''s judgement completely.

[maccar555]

This woman is no idiot. She is gutsy and apparently loves her family. She and her husband sent their children to safety. But in the case of her son, who needs medical care, I''d have made the same decision with the backing of the local constabulary. Good for her and lucky for her son if they don''t have to disrupt his life more than it already has been disrupted. She has a plan and will get herself and her son to safety if need be. I just can''t believe how many negative people live in our country now. Try to be more supportive. Good grief, life can be difficult enough. Here''s to grace that SusanHelit isn''t that little boys Mom. You sound negative, opinionated and panic-stricken%u2014a very bad combination during a crisis.

[sugarmice-2009]

I would just like to thank all of you with POSITIVE
postings about this horrible fire - I have a brother that is only 20 miles from the area and he and the neighbors keep watch and hope they don''t have to evacuate - some have gone to help those in need and have also offered the spare rooms in their homes to the evacuees - it''s not just the fires, but the idiots who are out there trying to start more - they think it''s a rush to see the flames... hope they shoot them too - but what is in the future is rebuilding and trying to get their lives back in order and it will take years and many don''t have the means (financially/physically) to do this and they are the ones that need our help. We all reached out during Katrina - when the time comes, I hope we all can be a little bit helpful ..
Again, thank you all for your positive postings and these positive thoughts are taken full heartily and do help ... god bless you all