CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — It’s been more than two weeks since a tornado touched down in Citrus County. Some portions of the area are still in shambles and have been left picking up the pieces.

What You Need To Know

  • Areas of Crystal River are continuing to pick up the pieces after an EF-2 tornado touched down two weeks ago

  • Repairs are on-going at the Plantation Resort, which saw extensive damage done to its golf course and clubhouse

  • Those at the resort are hoping to re-open the golf course as early as next week with plans for a temporary clubhouse set to open in mid-November

It’s been a long recovery process that cannot happen fast enough.

Catastrophic and complete destruction are some of the words being used to describe the damage the tornado caused at Plantation Resort — an experience some are also describing as a bit of déjà vu.

“That’s about what 200 trees looks piled up right there,” said Sean McCabe, director of Golf Operations at the Plantation Resort on Crystal River, while pointing at a large pile of brush on the golf course. It's what remains after an EF-2 tornado touched down in Crystal River.

“I grew up in east Tennessee, but I’ve spent most of my life on the east coast of Florida," McCabe said. "So mostly hurricanes, we didn’t get anything like this.”

Tree branches and stumps that were ripped from their roots, now left laying in a heap. A tree trimming crew can be heard nearby working to clear the course.

“It’ll take two weeks for all of it to burn down and then we’ll level this out and the grass will start to grow again,” he said.

It’s been a busy two weeks for McCabe and others at the resort, restoring the golf course and surrounding area back to its former glory with plans to reopen just around the corner.

“Originally it was the 10th thru the 15th," he said. "Somewhere in there, but these tree guys have done phenomenal getting all of the tress off of the golf course so we’re thinking mid next week.”

Elsewhere on the property, more damage can be seen. The clubhouse, which featured a restaurant and pro shop, has been left standing as a shell of its former self.

“And this was the golf shop," McCabe said. "Over here you can see how all of the windows were destroyed and it ripped the roof off. All of our merchandise was left either laying on the floor or completely gone. We only found about half of it and so where the rest of it went- there’s no telling.”

Insulation and lights can be seen left hanging from the ceiling. An eerie welcome for McCabe, who has been in his post for only four months.

“I got here June 26. And so from June until now I’ve dealt with a hurricane and a tornado," he said. "It’s been quite the ride. I’ve never seen anything like this in my 25 years in the PGA.”

Despite all the work that needs to be done, McCabe is ready to welcome back visitors.

“I can’t wait to get people back out and just be normal- that’s what we’re looking forward to,” he said.

McCabe said the resort hopes to open the golf course as early as next week. As for a clubhouse, he says the plan is to have a temporary clubhouse set up by mid-November where their tennis courts used to be.