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Living In A Dust Bowl

Posted: 6:33 PM Mar 30, 2012
Reporter: Jacquie Slater

Living in a Dust Bowl Update
Living In A Dust Bowl

Wakulla, FL -- March 30, 2012 --

The limestone gravel on the roadways in Wakulla Gardens was put there to help solve flooding problems. Now, people that live there say they're concerned for their health and they think commissioners are just kicking up dust.

Grant money was used to lay the gravel down in early 2011. At first, it seemed to solve the flooding issues. Now, as the rocks wash away, clouds of dust fill the air.

Residents like Liam Callaghan say the dust is making them sick. He said neighborhood kids are having respiratory problems. Some have even been hospitalized with pneumonia.

"When you walk outside, and there's an enormous amount of traffic, especially in the afternoon, you can taste the dust. You start to breathe a little heavier. It's not an annoyance anymore. It's a problem," said Callaghan.

Dust covers everything in the neighborhood. Cars, mailboxes...even the trees. Parents say commissioners need to take action. The county says they just don't have the money to pave the roads.

Commissioner's say the limestone that they used to cover the roads has been deemed safe. They say the problem is bigger than just the roads. Changes need to be made to the water systems and sewage treatment in the sub division before they can pave.

We will have a more in depth look at this problem next week on Eyewitness News.