The temperature of Washington's Lake Stevens was about 40 degrees, described by authorities as “cold enough to incapacitate someone quickly"

"I thought I'll check the refrigerator and all that was in there was some milk and a couple beers," said Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy

“We couldn't have asked for a better place to bring our daughters into the world,” said nurse and new mom Jenna Johnston

"I've been talking with an estate attorney, and we're going to set up a trust for Beth," lawn care specialist Spencer B. tells PEOPLE

Despite the injury, the pontiff continued to receive his audiences

“I’ve been working since I was 16 and my goal was to pay off the house and retire,” Totress Beasley said

"I don’t have words to express his sacrifice," Carla Saenz said

They came from all walks of life: a surfer whose Malibu home served as a hangout, a fearless hang glider and an actress who appeared in 'The Blues Brothers'

"I come back, and her car's still there," Zaire Calvin said of his late sister, Evelyn McClendon, who died in the fires

"I'm proud that he turned out in the end like the person that he did,” Carol Smith tells PEOPLE about her son, Randy Miod

“(His home) was his prized possession,” Carol Smith said of her son Randall Miod, 55. “That’s the one and only house he ever owned"

The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office noted that two first responders and three civilians were taken to a hospital for medical evaluation

There have been no reports of damage linked to the tremor that happened on Monday, Jan. 13

"The sky was yellow-orange and helicopters flew overhead in small groups making it feel like a war zone," journalist Katherine Turman tells PEOPLE

“It's beyond belief. It looks like a bomb has hit,” Lewis Marvin tells PEOPLE

Sarah Purkart, 83, fled from her home, which eventually was destroyed in the wildfire

At one point, the fire station where Sherrie Crumpler was staying at was surrounded by flames

“I feel hurt,” Yvette Anderson tells PEOPLE after surveying the damage, “but I'm grateful because we're all alive"

“We’re alive, so that’s the most important thing,” said Aaron Samson

“I was born and raised here and it’s really devastating to see," NBC News correspondent Jacob Soboroff tells PEOPLE

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