Good Samaritan Village residents face uncertain future as evacuation order continues

This browser does not support the video element.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Seniors who live in Good Samaritan Village are wondering when they can finally return to their homes.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

They were forced to leave after the community, in the Kissimmee area, near John Young Parkway and Pleasant Hill Road, was underwater after Hurricane Ian.

It has been nearly three weeks since Hurricane Ian and residents still can’t return home.

Watch: Orange County apartment complex residents given days to move out after flooding from Hurricane Ian

Some residents confronted county commissioners Monday night, to ask when they can return to their homes.

Photos: Hurricane Ian flooding, storm damage at Good Samaritan Village

Osceola County leaders said an evacuation order is still in effect at Good Samaritan Village because it’s not safe.

Seniors living in the community said they feel neglected.

Read: D-SNAP: People affected by Hurricane Ian in these 2 counties can now apply for food assistance

As the evacuation order continues, frustration is mounting.

Osceola County leaders extended the order until this weekend and said they can’t let residents back in because the sewer system is still down.

“You just can’t have people moving back into residential units whether they were low or high, in an unsanitary and unsafe condition like that,” said county manager Don Fisher.

Read: ‘This is a gut punch’: After Hurricane Ian, Florida citrus and wider agriculture struggle

After the damage done by Ian, the future of the property is uncertain.

“Our concern’s making sure all our seniors are safe there,” said county commissioner Peggy Choudhry. “That’s a priority all the time and every single year and all these hurricanes that happen, we know that things happen, but we are having conversations about also future things.”

County commissioners agreed to come back soon to have further discussions.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.