Thanks for concern guys. It was my in-laws house -- I just had my boat and some tools there. But no, they didn't have time to gather important papers or photos. I have told them that I am impressed that they left as soon as they were told to go. I think too often my thought process is "lets not over-react, let's wait to see if it is really that bad." I need to change my way of thinking!
We were hoping to find photos, but no chance of that. So far, a few dishes were found and a few porcelain figurines. So we are scanning all of our pictures and will do our best to recreate a few photo albums for them. Plus once scanned, we can save everything and keep it safe...on the cloud or a hard drive kept elsewhere.
The family is starting to think against trying to rebuild. With my in-laws in their 80s and the time it will take, it may not make sense. Tough decisions, but the destruction is so widespread, it is hard to imagine how this community will recover.
We are heading back up there tomorrow ...