Bomb range training rocks Lake County neighborhood

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) - Paul Thomas says he can't live in his home anymore because its considered unsafe by an engineer he hired. "That's cracked trusses. The top slide over is pushing the stucco out and ripping the strap." According to Thomas the engineer believes the damage is from shock waves, "Its a boom in the distance, a vibration sometimes its much louder and much stronger."

Thomas noticed the problem a year and a half ago, but it wasn't until after he hired an engineer to examine the damage, that the Navy recently decided to re-evaluate the situation. "They're finally looking at it," Thomas said.

A Navy spokesperson says they're having target practice where air crewmen are dropping down live bombs and neighbors may be disturbed by the activity, but they say they handle all complaints seriously. While a Navy spokesperson couldn't talk about Thomas's case, she says there have been other complaints from neighbors.

Meanwhile, Thomas realizes the importance of practicing at the range. "I think we've moved into a situation that's been happening for a very long time. I don't think they should move, I don't think they should quit, I just think they should send somebody out there."

While he's satisfied that the Navy plans to do that, he hopes others will learn from his situation. "Maybe tell everybody, maybe you shouldn't put this type of house out there."