GENEVA, Fla. – At sunrise on Thursday, Central Floridians got their first clear look at the destruction Hurricane Milton left in its wake.
Thousands remained without power, homes were flooded, and some residents were stranded by washed-out roads.
One of several washouts caused by strong winds and storm surge occurred at the intersection of Blue Fish Place and Mullet Lake Park Road in Geneva.
Residents who sheltered in their homes overnight Thursday were shocked to find they couldn’t access the main road Friday morning.
Their alternative exit, Retreat Road, was also impassable.
[RELATED: Where Milton ranks among strongest Atlantic hurricanes | Strongest winds so far in Central Florida from Hurricane Milton | Download the FREE News 6 hurricane app]
Drivers compared the water on that road to a lake. While some truck drivers made it through, they said it was risky.
“It was a little scary, a little deep,” said Anthony Coppola, one of those drivers.
When Coppola drove down Retreat Road in his truck, he said the water reached the bottom of his doors.
Coppola and his neighbors are juggling multiple issues at once. When the storm destroyed their main road, it also broke a water line beneath it, cutting off access to running water. The violent winds also downed nearby power lines, leaving the area without electricity.
Southland Construction, an Apopka-based company, attempted to repair the waterline Thursday but was unsuccessful. They plan to return Friday morning to make a second attempt and create a temporary road.
In DeLand, first responders made 14 high-water rescues, carrying residents to safety.
While the storm has passed, water levels are expected to rise in the coming days. Officials in each county are warning residents to be cautious when leaving their homes, as there may be hidden dangers in floodwaters and weakened roads.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office issued a countywide curfew starting at 9 p.m. Thursday and ending at 5 a.m. Friday to ensure the safety and welfare of the community during Hurricane Milton recovery efforts.
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