EUSTIS, Fla. – Residents of the Spring Ridge Estates neighborhood are being allowed back into their homes after weeks of evacuation prompted by heavy flooding that partially collapsed a culvert system.
It partially collapsed Oct. 30 after days of record flooding, and a subsequent berm and pump system failure forced about 20 homes to evacuate, officials said. Eustis Public Works Department crews have been working to complete repairs and reinforce the area to ensure it is safe for vehicles.
“We went into the house real fast, and I said if that bridge is going to go, we have to get our cars out, so we put our cars on the other side,” said resident Robert Roorbach, who, with his wife Nancy, said they feel fortunate they were able to move their vehicles to safety.
[BELOW: Eustis city funds repair of collapsed culvert, aims to restore access by Thanksgiving]
“They have to make sure it’s strong enough for firetrucks,” Roorbach added, noting the priority is making the road safe for emergency vehicles.
Despite the disruption, Roorbach emphasized the relief that no one was injured.
“Nobody’s hurt, our house is fine, we are just inconvenienced,” he said.
Homeowners told News 6 the HOA vice president said crews hoped to lay asphalt as soon as Thursday, but residents would not be allowed to drive their cars back into the neighborhood until the surface has properly cured.
We heard more on Thursday from evacuated homeowners, such as Earl Inman.
“My house is a mess because we had to leave in the middle of the night. It was just a lot of chaos that night, but it looks like things are back together,” he said. “It’ll be nice to drive your car back home, but the inconvenience has already been done. Words can’t express how much I would love to cross that bridge with my car and clean it out and be able to wash it and have it in my yard.”
Sharon Duve told us she’s being using a cart to get things from the store while work on the culvert wrapped up.
“I’m hoping tonight I can drive my car into my garage. Thanksgiving’s coming. I have family coming. So that’s going to feel so good,” she said. “(...) There’s a cement truck. It’s happening right now. This is great.”
Checking in around noon Thursday, crews still hadn’t begun lying down asphalt.
[VIDEO BELOW: Eustis residents get good news]