WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Sunday’s storm left Whitney Mobile Home Park in worse condition than Hurricane Irma, according to some of the residents.
“This was worse than Irma for here, for me, personally,” said Geri Detrick, a resident in the park located at 8401 NW 13th St. in Gainesville.
Many thought a tornado caused the damage, but Gainesville Fire Rescue has not confirmed that there was a tornado.
“We lost our power, and then a tree came flying in front of the house, and then my chimney flew off the roof and landed in my yard,” said Rich Schezman, another resident. “Then my wife came running out because she heard a loud noise and it was a tree falling on the other side of the house.”
Schezman hired crews to remove the fallen trees and debris that one worker said is one of the biggest jobs they’ve done.
Rosalind Watkins was at a park with her dog when the storm tore through.
“Blessed that I was not here,” she said. Watkins’ car port was damaged in the storm, but the rest of her home was unharmed
“Thanking God for the rest of the house to be here because, looking at this, it could have all been gone,” she said.
