MIDDLEBURG, Fla. — It’s been five weeks since Hurricane Irma rocked Northeast Florida, but neighbors are still dealing with debris. We’ve been showing you the piles of debris in various counties, including Duval and St. Johns, over the past couple weeks.
Now we’re looking at Clay County, which saw devastating flooding.
Debris is STILL a problem nearly five weeks after Hurricane Irma. This is the scene on Lazy Acres Road in Clay County. VIDEO: pic.twitter.com/40M3I2gjS1
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) October 16, 2017
We found Michael Frame hard at work Monday. He is taking the phrase “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” to heart by collecting wood someone chopped up and set out on the curb after Hurricane Irma.
“This is my second load. I loaded a whole full truck yesterday, from right there. It started from right here. Two stacks,” he said.
We drove down Lazy Acres Road, which backs up to Black Creek. There were piles and piles of yard waste and household furniture. Homeowners on American Way, around the corner, claim no one has touched their street at all.
I found one man who's taking the phrase "one man's trash is another man's treasure" to heart. ❤ He plans to use this debris for firewood. pic.twitter.com/8bd1df0eP4
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) October 16, 2017
Clay County officials started debris pickup in September. They said, “We will be doing other passes. Please do not worry if all your debris is not out after the first pass.”
The Black Creek area is prone to flooding, but Irma was unlike anything residents have ever seen. Whole structures and trees were relocated.
We found yard waste and household furniture (in result of Hurricane Irma) all over Middleburg. This is Union Road. pic.twitter.com/e80pDcrHjK
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) October 16, 2017
Although cleanup has been slow, Frame chooses to be optimistic and believes the county is doing the best it can.
“They’re having to find different places to stage this stuff. They don’t have any place that can take it,” he said.
Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Orange Park Town Hall to help anyone needing to register for assistance.
Those who live along Black Creek do so for the view, but when it floods it FLOODS. The second pic is a cottage that had to be gutted. pic.twitter.com/hd8qWBBUlB
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) October 16, 2017
Sheesh! This building floated 7-8 houses down during Hurricane Irma. In result, the homeowner has been without internet for a month. pic.twitter.com/aGTRiofU6W
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) October 16, 2017
Cox Media Group