An Earthquake Destroyed Their Home Days Before Christmas. They Still Have to Pay the Mortgage

Just days before Christmas, Jacqui McIntosh and her husband awoke around 2:34 a.m. in terror. Their entire home was shaking so violently, it split their bed apart – sending them tumbling down the middle. The December 20, 2022, earthquake in California, which left two people dead and forced hundreds out of their homes, had ripped McIntosh’s house off its foundation and shifted it 22 inches to the east, leaving it uninhabitable.

Six months later, McIntosh is still paying a mortgage on a house that would cost an estimated $150,000 to fix out of pocket. The family lives in a rental home, and while they have insurance, the payout will not cover the full cost of repairs.

The McIntosh family is not alone. Many Californians who were affected by the earthquake are still struggling to rebuild their homes and their lives. The cost of repairs can be prohibitive, and insurance companies often only cover a portion of the damage.

In addition to the financial burden, the emotional toll of losing a home can be devastating. McIntosh says that she and her husband are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of their home, and the uncertainty of their future.

Despite the challenges, however, the McIntosh family is determined to rebuild. They have applied for government assistance and are working with contractors to get estimates for the cost of repairs. They are also working with their mortgage company to find a solution that will allow them to keep their home.

The McIntosh family’s story reminds of the resilience and determination of the human spirit. Even in the face of adversity, they are working to rebuild their lives and their home. It is also a reminder of the importance of having adequate insurance coverage, and the need for government support for those affected by natural disasters.

As the six-month anniversary of the earthquake approaches, the McIntosh family and others like them continue to work towards rebuilding their homes and lives. While the road ahead may be long and arduous, they are determined to persevere, and to come out stronger on the other side.