Disaster response

Laguna reacts to the Bluebird Canyon slide with quickness and compassion, but the effects on finances will be long-term.Laguna’s hard-won expertise in coping with disaster paid off again June 1 when an estimated 750 to 1,000 residents were safely evacuated after a rain-soaked hillside tumbled into Bluebird Canyon.

Evacuation began less than two hours after a flurry of 911 calls started at 6:50 a.m. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, performing heroic rescues from slipping homes.

More than 20 homes were irreparably damaged, but no lives were lost.

“We have been here before -- we will get it together and make things happen,” Police Capt. Danell Adams said.

By 10 a.m., the Red Cross established food and clothing distribution centers at Bluebird Park and Laguna Beach High School. Donations poured in. Hobie donated $70,000 worth of kid’s clothes, adding to the donations brought to the Laguna Presbyterian Church almost as soon as the disaster became public knowledge. Bushard’s Pharmacy provided toiletries. South Coast Bank donated $5,000 to start a relief fund.