By Lesley McClurg, National Public Radio, October 31, 2019
Tens of thousands of people are still under mandatory evacuation in Northern California. Some have endured wildfires, smoke, floods, blackouts and evacuations many times before. Even though the state's population is predicted to top 40 million this year, some wonder whether California is the dream they had hoped for.
Just a few weeks ago Philip Van Gelder's biggest chore was clearing crusty mud and debris from his land. He and his wife live on an idyllic property nestled among vineyards and rolling hills in the tiny town of Geyserville, a few hours north of San Francisco. Last winter, record-breaking downpours turned the town into an island.
"We've been through several flood situations there," said Van Gelder, a white-haired 74-year-old with a trim beard and a camouflage baseball cap. "This was the worst we've seen in 40 years."
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