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FFEMA Funds Lake Holly Cleanout, Milton Debris Total At 500,000 Cubic Feet

    FEMA contractors under the supervision of Lake County have begun the process of removing a large island of floating plant life from the Lake Holly boat ramp.  The island, or 'tussit' as floating masses of growth are known, broke free from another area of the lake and was blown south during Hurricane Milton, clogging access to the lake via its CR 450W boat ramp.
    Lake Holly is located west of Umatilla and is a popular fishing spot that features access to two other large fishing lakes.  Its only public access is via the CR 450W boat ramp, which is maintained by Lake County.
    It is not uncommon in Florida waterbodies for plant life to form and grow, with root systems intermingling to form floating land masses.  The masses can at times be large, and the mass at Lake Holly covers several hundred linear feet and in some areas is dozens of feet wide.  Contractors on scene said the project could take 2-4 weeks to complete.
    Special equipment is brought in to allow for the land masses to be broken apart and pulled from the water.  On Monday, a hoe with special tracks had been backed into the lake to support digging out mass that is further from the shoreline.
    As part of the process, FEMA representatives are on hand tracking how much mass is being pulled from the lake.  Each scoop, placed in a large truck for removal from the site, is noted by FEMA reps.  Similar to how hurricane storm debris is tracked at drop-off locations like the North Lake Regional Park, FEMA tracks how much debris each contractor generates for payment purposes.


    Lake County's expected amount of storm debris to be collected from Hurricane Milton has ballooned to 500,000 cubic yards.  The number, announced by county staff just weeks after estimating the storm's impact at 350,000 cubic yards, indicates Milton's impact could be the most ever experienced in Lake County - as measured by the amount of tree-related damage.
    Lake County officials in recent weeks announced that the storm debris cleanup project has surpassed the 440,000 cubic yards collected in 2017 when Hurricane Irma passed over the area.  The county estimates 1,300 miles of roads have been covered, with over 25,000 residences served.
    "Lake County is undertaking its largest debris collection effort ever," said Tyler Wallace, Public Information Officer with Lake County.  "… surpassing Hurricane Irma's record with an estimated 500,000 cubic yards of debris.  Imagine 50,000 dump trucks lined up for 250 miles."
    Debris is being stockpiled in several locations around the county.  In North Lake, the North Lake Regional Park is serving as a drop-off location.  An area at the northern end of the facility has been piled high with collected storm debris, with more arriving each collection day.
    Lake County’s pickup program was slowed in the immediate aftermath of Milton, as its contracted response company was unable to fully mobilize.  While certain municipalities undertook their own cleanup programs, the county lagged.  However, the county was able to secure a new contractor, who has worked to catch up the process in hopes of meeting, or almost meeting a three-month deadline for the county to apply for reimbursement from FEMA for costs associated with the work.
    Lake County manager Jennifer Barker had previously voiced concern over the potential all of the county’s debris being picked up by the deadline, which arrives in January.