Hurricane debris causes Halloween safety concerns

Families worried debris won't be cleared in time for trick-or-treating

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – Residents in a Volusia County neighborhood are voicing concerns about Halloween safety with their community still littered with debris from Hurricane Matthew.

For more than two weeks, piles of branches and logs have been growing in the Tomoka Oaks subdivision.
As Halloween approaches, families who live there are worried the debris won't be cleared in time.

"That would definitely be a concern of mine come Halloween," homeowner Jim Page said.  "Having my children out trying to trick or treat with all this debris still in the road."

Sharp branches, rusty nails and unwelcome critters are just some of what residents fear could be lurking among the debris.

"You know, I'm starting to see snakes too.  That doesn't make me a happy camper," said Page.
On Tuesday, signs of relief began to surface as work crews arrived to clear debris from some streets.

"We're running seven days a week, 12-hour days," debris monitor Scott Albertson said.  "We're out here just trying to get up as much debris as we can."

Ormond Beach city leaders said the crew was one of several working to clear the nearly 3,000 loads of debris since Hurricane Matthew moved off the coast of Volusia County. 

The city has been posting daily progress updates on its website (http://www.ormondbeach.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1409), which also offers a map of what areas have been cleared.

After seeing work done Tuesday, neighbors are hopeful the crews will be finished before children hit the streets on Halloween.

"That is truly a welcome sight.  I just hope I'm out here when they come through and get my debris," Page said.​

In Flagler County, contractors provided a tentative pick up schedule for unincorporated areas on Tuesday.

Between Tuesday night and Sunday the following areas could receive debris pick up: Fairchild Oaks, Polo Club east off of John Anderson and Polo Club west off of Old Kings Road and Bulow Plantation.

Crews will be picking up debris on the beachside from Tuesday through Sunday at the Island Estates, Sea Colony, Marineland and Marinetime Estates.

For the are north of MalaCompra Road and east of A1A pick up will happen on Saturday and Sunday at Matanas Shores and Beach Haven.

As off Monday more than 22,000 cubic yards have been collected from the Flagler areas listed, but an estimated 40,000 cubic yards still need to be removed.


About the Author:

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.