Middletown residents heading home
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. - KTVU – Residents in the community of Middletown were allowed to return to their homes for the first time on Saturday, marking one week since the Valley Fire.
There is extensive damage left behind, but resident Steve Leonardi has not lost his sense of humor.
“I could probably pull out my lawnmower and finish mowing my lawn now,” he joked.
Leonardi’s lawnmower was located in shed, which was the only thing left standing on his property. He knew what was waiting for him when he returned to Jackson Street. It is where his family’s restored Victorian home once stood.
“We saw our house burn on TV, which is a double edged sword because number one, you don’t want to believe it,” he said. “Number two, you do want to believe it because you want to be prepared.”
He said being back felt different once he saw and smelled the charred remains of his property.
Going back to Middletown was a relief to those at the Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga that have houses that survived. It is where hundreds of people lined up to get a pink pass to return home.
“Today is seven days,” Joy Deits said. “We came last Saturday.
Deits was anxious to return and said her house is still standing, but it is surrounded by burned properties.
Napa and Lake County authorities began screening residents Saturday morning to begin the “repopulation” process. They asked people for a photo ID or documentation listing an address.
“It’s been a tough road for these people,” Lt. Pete Burg with the Napa County Sheriff’s Office. It’s heartbreaking to see what these folks have gone through. We’re just here to get them back and normalize as best we can.”
Highway 29 was packed with cars making the journey home on Saturday, but it will take some time before this small community is back to normal.
Leonardi chose to stay positive and said there is no question he will rebuild.
“We’re survivors,” he said. “We’re not sure if we’re going to stay here or not but we’re going to start over and get going again.”