Residents on private roads have longer wait to get debris picked up

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Debris from Hurricane Matthew still lines neighborhood roads in many communities.

Volusia County got approval for federal dollars to pay for the removal process, but some residents have been left out.

Those residents may have a pile of debris in front of their home until December.

For residents on main roads, the county has likely picked it up already, but others will have to wait longer as county officials wait for word on FEMA.

“It’s been quite a mess and we’re not, we’re probably not very patient,” said resident Patti Angel.

Angel lives in the Stone Island community on a private neighborhood road.

She was shocked to see all the broken tree limbs after the storm pummeled through.

“Yet so thankful that people didn’t get their roofs blown off,” said Angel.

Some people who live in Angel’s neighborhood called Channel 9 because they thought county crews were supposed to get the debris. Many of the residents are in their 70s and said they can’t remove it on their own.

But Volusia County officials said FEMA will only reimburse for pickup on main roads.

Now the county is asking federal officials for a waiver on private roads.

“We really hadn’t heard anything,” Angel said.

Residents in Seminole County had the same issue after three pickup dates passed and their piles remained.

Seminole County leaders said crews are behind because of the large amount of debris, but large claw trucks will be out soon to gather what’s left.

Volusia County Council members approved emergency funds to collect the big stuff left on private roads, if the FEMA waiver doesn’t come through.

Either way, it could be the end of the year before the piles get some attention.

The county asks anyone living on a private road to be patient and said the debris will eventually be removed.

Cox Media Group