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A roof lifted completely off one apartment and dropped right back down, Roberts said. Residents were in the home at the time, but there were no physical injuries.

Most of the damage to the Amaryllis apartments was confined to two of the complex’s 12 residential buildings. Properties across the street from the apartments also were damaged.

“We suspect by the way the damage was so uniquely done, that it was probably a small tornado that spun off and then moved onto another property across the street. There wasn't an even distribution of damage that you expect with a hurricane,” Roberts said.

Despite the damage, some of the residents in the apartments wanted to remain simply because they had no place else to go. The apartments are occupied by farm workers who live there on government subsidies. NOAH housing managers had to insist that the residents leave because it was too unsafe to stay in the homes.  Some of the residents from Amaryllis were moved to Doveland Villas in Pahokee and other NOAH properties throughout the Glades. The other buildings at Amaryllis and other NOAH properties have remained occupied.

With the help from the USDA and proceeds from the insurance company, Roberts expects to have enough money to fix the damaged apartments. But there-in rests more frustrating delays. NOAH still awaits figures from the insurance adjusters.

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