Now, it’s wildfires. Earlier this year, floods. Sports collectors are finding out that natural disasters have a voracious appetite for their stuff.

While some in the path of the California wildfires hastily packed their collections–or what they could carry–and headed off to safety, others are still smarting from another of Mother Nature’s little intrusions.

One town in Minnesota was in the direct path of a major flood earlier this year. Roger Corbenson lost his entire collection–one that included scores of valuable vintage sports cards– in just a few minutes.

He’s glad to be alive, but still mourns the loss of one of his passions.