LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Days after Hurricane Milton swept through Central Florida, officials say Lake County escaped the worst of the storm but is still looking at lasting impacts.
During a news conference Monday, Emergency Management Director Megan Milanese said flooding has reached record levels in Astor that were set by Hurricane Ian in 2022.
“Unfortunately, we’re right back where we were about two years ago with extended flooding throughout the entire Astor area,” said Milanese. “What we’re looking at is very slow receding. So it’s looking like it’s going down just a little bit at a time.”
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With the St. Johns River at a major flood stage, the county began setting up comfort stations to help people living in the area.
“That provides a charging location, laundry, as well as showers, bathrooms, and handwashing,” Milanese said. “If there’s anyone that can’t access those types of services in their area or in their home. That is located at the Butler Street boat ramp and available for their use.”
In Clermont, some rescues happened in the Emerald Lakes mobile home park.
First responders evacuated people from the community, which sits right on a lake and roads became impassable.
“They had units on scene and they assessed the situation as being one that just wasn’t good for the folks that were in that community,” Milanese said.
Officials said power has been restored to about 95% of Lake County residents and utility crews are continuing to work to get to some areas that are still without power.
A section of Wolf Branch Road and a section of Britt Road near Mount Dora are closed due to a washout from the storm. Road repairs are expected to last at least a couple of weeks.
Residents seeking information about storm recovery efforts can call (352) 253-9999 or visit click here.
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