CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — Canal cleanup is underway in Charlotte County. Chainsaws, boats and a claw machine are just a few of the tools the disaster debris hauler is using to work. People living in the homes near today’s site said seeing the crew coming This morning brought tears to their eyes.
“Styrofoam, aluminum, plastic chairs, anything that could blow blew into the canal,” Deborah Walsh said.
Right now, the main obstacle blocking Walsh from enjoying her waterway view of Hayward Canal is vegetation.
“We tried to pull some things out but of course some things you can’t, and all the trees are in the canals,” she said.
That’s where the crew coming in today lends a big hand. Walsh sat and watched as they used chainsaws to break up the tree trunks and remove branches and sheets of metal from the canal piece by piece.
“That one time it almost went all the way over, I was like holy moly hold on guys,” Walsh laughed.
Next door, Jean Townsend is allowing the team to kick off their waterway clean-up efforts in her yard.
“Zulu to the rescue, goosebumps and all, happy tears, it’s amazing,” Townsend said.
She has two homes near Stephens Road and Warren Ave, and said trash comes with the territory.
“It’s something you deal with in Florida is these darn hurricanes, Ian made a mess, big time,” Townsend said.
It’s a mess that will take a while to clean up according to Charlotte County spokesman Brian Gleason.
“We don’t even have an estimate yet because frankly we don’t even know how much is out there,” he said. water canals, lakes, and then primary ditches.”
The crew is expected to return to the same area tomorrow to continue cleanup. When they’re done, Walsh has a plan to celebrate.
“I am going to light my fire pit and sit in my chair and enjoy the water, perhaps put a pole in and see if I can’t catch any fish,” she said.
The county is getting your calls about what canals need cleaning. They are working on a map so you can follow when they hope to reach more waterways.
