First To Know WeatherHurricane Michael

Actions

Havana community raises concerns over storm debris

Posted at 3:36 PM, Nov 14, 2018
and last updated 2019-10-02 15:57:04-04

GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) – It's been more than a month since Hurricane Michael hit the Big Bend and one Gadsden County community is concerned about the piles of debris that still hasn't been cleaned up.

Lake Tallavana is a private gated community in Havana.

It took residents about two weeks to get their power back after Michael.

The homeowners' association said aside from a few contractors hired by residents, no one has come to clean up the debris.

The head of security said it's a real safety hazard.

Our roads have diminished to one lane throughout most of the community, so our risk for accidents or even residents who like to walk and at night, it's very perilous in here, because you cannot see a lot of the big trunks sticking out,"said Vice President Cheryl Roberts. "So, we've had several residents have car damage as a result of the debris."

The county has applied for federal funding to cover the cost to remove debris on private roads and gated communities.

So far, the county estimates it's collected 20 percent of all debris.

According to officials,  the total cost of debris removal is just under 13 million dollars.