HURRICANE HELENE UPDATE:  News from the Lake County Emergency Operations Center

Lake County Emergency Management is in the process of evaluating post-storm impacts from Hurricane Helene. The Office will continue to work with local, state, and weather partners to ensure resources are placed, if needed, in the appropriate areas

The Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is currently activated to a Level 1 status. The EOC expects to lower its activation level later today. The Office of Emergency Management is releasing the details below to assist residents after the storm. Please see below for official details.

County Services

• Lake County Schools, County offices, and the Clerk of Courts are open, and all have resumed regular activity.
• Lake County opened a shelter for those who need accommodations during the storm. As of 8 a.m. today, Sept. 27, the shelter is closed.
• All sandbag locations are closed.

County Operations

• The County initiated first push to clear roads of debris. The first and second rounds of clearing are anticipated to be completed today. These ‘pushes’ aim to clear main portions of the road to ensure they remain accessible. The pushes do not clear the debris from the side of the road. 
• Lake County Fire Rescue has started initial damage assessments. These initial assessments are anticipated to be completed by mid-afternoon today. These preliminary damage assessments are conducted from publicly accessible streets.
• Power restoration is ongoing. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a power assessment in the Astor area to determine needs in the area. This assessment is being conducted from publicly accessible streets.  Updates on current power outages can be found here: https://poweroutage.us/area/county/319
• Residents who need to report utility outages should call their provider.
  • City of Leesburg Electric
    • Report outages: 833-223-1313
  • City of Mount Dora Electric
    • Report outages: 352-612-5739
  • Clay Electric Co-op
    • MyClayElectric app. Or https://ow.ly/mnmC50TwObC https://ow.ly/24u250TwObA
    • Report outages: 888-434-9844
  • Duke Energy
    • Report your outage by texting OUT to 57801 on your mobile, online athttps://ow.ly/FjOz50TwObB, or by calling 800-228-8485.
  • Sumter Electric Cooperative
    • Report outages: 800-732-6141 or online https://ow.ly/znp950TwObE
  • Eustis Office
    • 352-357-5600
  • Groveland Office
    • 352-429-2195
  • Sumterville Office
    • 352-793-3801

Parks and Boat Ramps

• The Pearl Street Boat Ramp (25140 E. Pearl Street, Astor) and Butler Street Boat Ramp (55400 Butler Street, Astor) closed on Sept. 25, at 5 a.m. due to anticipated impacts from Hurricane Helene. The boat ramps will be closed until further notice. For more information, please call the Office of Parks and Trails at (352)-253-4950.

• All Parks and Water Resources properties reopened on Friday, Sept. 27, for normal operating hours. Guests visiting the parks should use caution and stay vigilant of debris. Parks and Water Resources staff members are onsite for post-storm clean up.