UPDATE: A slow-moving storm has unleashed catastrophic rainfall in Lake County, Florida, dropping nearly 15 inches of rain late Sunday, September 24, 2023. The deluge has resulted in significant road washouts, severely disrupting travel and daily activities in Mount Dora and Eustis.
Meteorologist Jessie Schaper from the National Weather Service in Melbourne reported, “There was not a lot of forward motion to it. It was sitting over the same location for several hours. When this happens, it creates a worst-case scenario.” This relentless storm left many main roads impassable, prompting emergency responses across the region.
Currently, several key roads are closed due to washouts, including:
– Wolf Branch Road, between Britt and Round Lake roads
– Donnelly Street, between Limit Avenue and U.S. Highway 441
– Old Eustis Road, between Donnelly Street and Dogwood Circle
– U.S. 441, between Limit Avenue and Bristol Lake Road
– Donnelley Street, between Pine Avenue and the Waterman Village entrance at Manorside Drive
City officials in Mount Dora have announced a delay in opening City Hall until 10 a.m. Monday, allowing staff to safely arrive and enabling crews to assess the damage.
As Central Florida braces for more rain this afternoon, forecasts indicate thunderstorms will continue, although the intensity is not expected to match Sunday’s unprecedented rainfall. A warm front pushed moisture northward, leading to these severe conditions. A cold front is expected to move into the area later this week, bringing a transition to drier, more fall-like weather. By Thursday, temperatures are projected to drop to a low of 52 degrees with highs only reaching the lower 70s.
Residents are urged to stay updated as this is a developing story. The potential for further storms today remains, and safety precautions should be observed. Emergency services are working diligently to restore safe access to affected areas.
Stay tuned for more updates as authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess the extensive impact of this storm.
