Julie GaristoLeesburg Daily Commercial
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(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)
Hurricane Milton continued its path toward Florida's west coast on Wednesday, with landfall expected late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Sumter County and Lake County storm shelters are open, and people are making their final preparations. Stay tuned here for the latest updates on Wednesday.
Lake and Sumter County power outages: 1 a.m. Thursday
As of 1 a.m. Thursday, 65,484 power outages had been reported in Lake County. That's 32.3% of all accounts in the county. In Sumter County there were 18,294 outages reported. That's 18% of all accounts.
Learn more at our tracker, https://data.dailycommercial.com/national-power-outage-map-tracker/
Sumter County guidance on reporting problems
If you have an emergency, call 911. "Some mobile providers may experience a degradation in service due to Hurricane Milton," county government says in a news release. "We encourage citizens to call before text, but know you can text Sumter County to report both non-life threatening situations and to reach 911."
To report downed trees and other non-emergency storm matters, call the Sumter County Citizens Information Center, which is staffed 24/7, at 352-689-4400 or by texting 352-282-0573.
Sumter County is under a flash flood warning until 2:45 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.
— Jim Ross
Flash flood warning extended for Lake County
The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for Lake, Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties (and also northern Osceola County) to 6 a.m. Thursday.
"At 11:41 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 4 and 7 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly," the weather service said in an advisory.
— Jim Ross
Traffic crash on Florida's Turnpike in Sumter County
The Florida Department of Transportation is reporting a vehicle crash of some sort on southbound Florida's Turnpike in Sumter County. The crash site is before mile marker 299, which is the Okahumpka service plaza. That is 5 miles south of the U.S. 301 interchange.
Lake and Sumter county power outages as of 11:15 p.m. Wednesday
As of 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, 39,453 power outages had been reported in Lake County. That's 19.5% of all accounts in the county. In Sumter County there were 14,559 outages reported. That's 14.3% of all accounts.
Learn more at our tracker, https://data.dailycommercial.com/national-power-outage-map-tracker/
Sumter County suspends emergency services until conditions are safe
"All emergency services in Sumter County have been suspended until conditions improve and it is safe to respond," county government said in a statement issued at 10 p.m. Wednesday.
"As sustained winds reach 45 mph, emergency vehicles, including fire and rescue services, are unable to operate safely. These hazardous conditions make it extremely dangerous for responders to navigate the roads, putting both their safety and that of individuals in need at risk. We are closely monitoring the wind conditions and will provide updates as the situation evolves. Your safety is our top priority, and we urge everyone to remain indoors until conditions improve."
— Jim Ross
Lake and Sumter County power outages as of 9:45 p.m. Wednesday
As of 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, 19,404 power outages had been reported in Lake County. That's 9.6% of all accounts in the county. In Sumter County there were 10,733 outages reported. That's 10.6% of all accounts.
Learn more at our tracker, https://data.dailycommercial.com/national-power-outage-map-tracker/
— Jim Ross
Hurricane Milton made landfall at 8:30 p.m. at Siesta Key
Here is all the latest information.
Lake and Sumter County power outages as of 7:15 p.m. Wednesday
As of 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, 2,492 power outages had been reported in Lake County. That's 1.2% of all accounts in the county. In Sumter County there were 5,068 outages reported. That's 5% of all accounts.
Learn more at our tracker, https://data.dailycommercial.com/national-power-outage-map-tracker/
— Jim Ross
Lake County is under a flash flood warning until 9:45 p.m. Wednesday
The National Weather Service has placed Lake, Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties under a flash flood warning until 9:45 p.m. Wednesday.
About 6:45 p.m. Wednesday the weather service issued this statement:
"At 6:43 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 3 and 6 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly."
— Jim Ross
Sumter County storm shelter update
According to Sumter County government, the shelter at the Sumter County Fairgrounds in Bushnell was considered full as of 6 p.m. on Wednesday, with 145 occupants and 14 pets.
The shelter at South Sumter High School in Bushnell has 174 occupants and 28 pets.
The shelter at Webster Elementary School in Webster has 81 occupants and 20 pets.
The shelter for clients with special needs, housed at the Wildwood Community Center, has 38 occupants and seven pets.
The shelter at Oxford Assembly of God in Oxford (a privately run shelter that is open to the public) has 92 occupants and 10 pets.
The shelter at Center Hill Community Center in Center Hill has 25 occupants and four pets.
— Jim Ross
The latest on Hurricane Milton: Meteorologist's live forecast to keep you safe through landfall
What kind of damage is Hurricane Milton causing in Florida?
This interactive map shows impacts and damage reports coming in to National Weather Service stations.
— Jim Ross
Tornados, damaging winds may be imminent
Damaging winds and heavy rainfall will extend well outside the Hurricane Milton forecast cone, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center have said.
Hurricane Milton could bring a 'reverse storm surge'
Depending on where Hurricane Milton makes landfall, the Tampa Bay area could be flooded with a huge storm surge or it could have its bay sucked dry.
A hurricane warning remains in effect for most of central Florida.
The National Weather Service has extended tornado watch to include five counties in East Central Florida: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Seminole and Volusia.
"This is a very serious situation and residents in Florida should closely follow orders from their local emergency management officials,” the center says.
Florida traffic cameras captured a tornado in Broward County. The whole state is bracing for impacts of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall over Florida's Gulf Coast as a major hurricane tonight.
— Julie Garisto
Lake & Sumter public schools closure update
Lake County public schools are closed the rest of the weekfor students.
In Sumter County, schools will be closed today, Thursday and Friday.
In Lake County, Tuesday was an early release day with schools closed Wednesday and Thursday. Friday, Oct. 11, is a pre-scheduled student day off and a teacher planning day. Teachers may work from home or at their school site on Friday if it’s safe for them to do so.
More atlake.k12.fl.usfor Lake County. For Sumter, call 352-793-2315.
—Julie Garisto
6 shelters now open in Sumter County
- Center Hill Community Center, 74 S. Virginia Ave., Center Hill, which opened this afternoon and has only four occupants since the last count.
- South Sumter High School, 706 N. Main St., Bushnell
- Webster Elementary School, 349 S. Market Blvd., Webster
- Sumter County Fairgrounds, 7620 State Route 471, Bushnell
- Special Needs Shelter at the Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Rd, Wildwood
- The Oxford Assembly of God, 12114 US-301, Oxford
All Sumter shelters are pet-friendly. Do not leave pets behind. The county requests that you bring a crate or carrier for pet(s), as well as sturdy leashes, food and any other supplies they will need.
"Residents of The Villages can take comfort in knowing that homes in this community were built above the 100-year floodplain and constructed to withstand predicted wind speeds," the county's spokesperson said in a press release. Sheltering in place is recommended for Villages residents, he added.
For more information on sheltering in place, visit sumterprepares.com.
—Julie Garisto
'A very dangerous hurricane when it reaches Florida'
That's how the National Hurricane Center describes Milton in its latest guidance. For the latest on the storm track and overall forecast, check here.
Utilities to contact if your power goes out
City of Leesburg Electric, 2010 Griffin Road, Leesburg; customer service:352-728-9800; report outages:833-223-1313; website: leesburgflorida.gov/electric
City of Mount Dora Electric, 510 N Baker St, Mount Dora; customer service:352-735-7151; report outages:352-612-5739.
Clay Electric Co-op, 24950 E County Road 316, Salt Springs, local:352-685-2111; customer service:800-224-4917; report outages:888-434-9844
Duke Energy: customer service:800-700-8744; report outages:800-228-8485
Sumter Electric Cooperative: report outages:800-732-6141; real-time outage reporting:SECOStormCenter.com
- Eustis Office, 50 W Ardice Ave, Eustis; 352-357-5600
- Groveland Office, 850 Howey Road, Groveland; 352-429-2195
- Sumterville Office, 330 S U.S. 301, Sumterville; 352-793-3801
Duke Energy advises the followingsafety protocolsbelow during the storm:
- Follow the guidance and instructions of your state and local emergency management officials.
- In case of strong winds, stay away from windows and doors, even if they are covered. Seek shelter in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest floor.
- If rising water threatens your home or if you evacuate your home, turn off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.
- Disconnect or turn off any nonessential electrical equipment that may start automatically when power is restored to avoid overloading circuits.
- Never replace a fuse or touch a circuit breaker with wet hands, or while standing on a wet or damp surface.
- Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Do not open freezers or refrigerators more than necessary. Opening these appliances will allow food to thaw quicker. For more information, see theFDA’s food safety guidelines.
—Julie Garisto
Uber offering free rides to state-approved shelters
Anyone needing to get to a state-approved shelter ahead ofHurricane Miltoncan take an Uber for free, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
"We have partnered w/@Uber to provide Floridians free rides to & from shelters in counties evacuating for #Milton," the agency posted on X, formerly Twitter Monday evening.
"Florida is also partnered with Uber for Hurricane Milton evacuation," Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference Tuesday morning, "so you can get free rides to and from shelters in counties with active evacuation orders. They did this with Hurricane Helene, they're now doing it with Hurricane Milton, and so if you want a free ride to a shelter, you use the promo code, MILTONRELIEF. One word, MILTONRELIEF. Read more about what's required here.
—C.A. Bridges
Lake County emergency shelters
Lake County will open 15 shelters for those who need accommodations during the storm. The shelters will open at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Residents are encouraged to bring necessary supplies such as medication, bedding and a pet carrier or crate. For more information, call the Citizens Information Line at 352-253-9999.
General population shelters:
• East Ridge High - 13322 Excalibur Road, Clermont
• East Ridge Middle - 13201 Excalibur Road, Clermont
• Eustis High - 1300 E. Washington Ave., Eustis
• Leesburg High - 1401 Yellow Jacket Way, Leesburg
• Mount Dora High - 700 N. Highland St., Mount Dora
• Tavares High - 603 N. New Hampshire Ave., Tavares
Pet-friendly shelters:
• Mascotte Elementary - 460 Midway Ave., Mascotte
• Round Lake Elementary - 31333 Round Lake Road, Mount Dora
• Spring Creek Elementary - 44440 Spring Creek Road, Paisley
• Treadway Elementary - 10619 Treadway School Road, Leesburg
Pet-friendly and special-needs shelters:
• Leesburg Elementary - 2229 South St., Leesburg
• Lost Lake Elementary - 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont
• Astatula Elementary - 13925 Florida Ave., Astatula
• Umatilla Elementary - 401 Lake St., Umatilla
• Villages Elementary - 695 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake
— Julie Garisto
Additional shelters open in Sumter County
Two shelters will open today for those seeking cover for Hurricane Milton. The following Sumter County shelters will open on Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.:
- South Sumter High School, 706 N. Main St., Bushnell
- Webster Elementary School, 349 S. Market Blvd., Webster
The following additional shelters will open on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 6 a.m.:
- Sumter County Fairgrounds, 7620 State Route 471, Bushnell. Open to the general public.
- Special Needs Shelter at the Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Road, WildwoodOpen for those needing assistance or medical assistance. It will be operated by the SumterCounty Health Department.
Stay informed by checking the county's website at sumtercountyfl.gov or calling 352-689-4400 forupdates.
All Sumter shelters are pet-friendly, so do not leave your pets behind.
— Julie Garisto
Free Lake Xpress rides to shelters
LakeXpress, Lake County’s fixed-route bus system, provides free rides on Wednesday to travelers who state they need to be taken to a shelter.
Free rides will continue to be given until conditions become unsafe. Riders must tell the driver they are going to a shelter to use the free ride.
Citizen Information Line updates
The Lake County Citizens Information Line, 352-253-9999, will have extended hours today, through 10 p.m.
TheSumter County Citizens Information Centeris open 24/7 and can be reached at 352-689-4400.
— Julie Garisto
Who should evacuate in Sumter County?
Sumter County emergency management advises the following groups to consider evacuating or moving to a shelter:
- Residents in mobile, manufactured, modular homes, or recreational vehicles.
- Those living in low-lying, flood-prone areas near the river.
- Individuals with special needs.
- Anyone who feels unsafe staying alone.
- Remember to bring essential items like medications.
- Be advised that shelters do not provide cots, blankets, or other supplies, so plan accordingly.
- Bring identification (driver’s license). Bedding (cot, air mattress, blanket, pillow).
- Bring food and water.
- Bring medications.
- Bring baby supplies (food, formula)
The Emergency Operations Center for Sumter County will be fully activated at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, to prepare and handle any potential emergencies that may arise due to Hurricane Milton. TheSumter County Citizens Information Centeris open 24/7 and can be reached at 352-689-4400.
— Julie Garisto
Helpline for care of dementia/Alzheimer's patients during Milton
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is reminding families in the affected areas who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related illnesses that the AFA Helpline is available to provide assistance, answers, and support.
AFA’s Helpline is open seven days a week and staffed entirely by licensed social workers specifically trained in dementia care.
Ways to connect with the AFA Helpline include:
- Phone: 866-232-8484
- Text message: 646-586-5283
- Webchat atalzfdn.org(click on the blue-and-white chat icon on the lower right-hand corner of the page)
AFA’s Helpline social workers can address questions such as:
- How do I answer questions about the hurricane and its consequences?
- How can I keep my loved one feeling safe?
- How do I help them cope with disorientation, stress, and/or anxiety?
- What can I do to help prevent or reduce agitation?
- How do I help my loved one handle disruptions to their daily routine?
- What steps can I take to reduce the likelihood that my loved one wanders from safety, particularly at night?
- How do I acclimate my loved one to new surroundings after evacuating, and what can I do to prepare them for the transition beforehand?
— Julie Garisto
Mount Dora events postponed
Due to the potential impacts of Hurricane Milton, both theCycle Mount Dora and Mount Dora Fire Department Open House events have been postponed.
Cycle Mount Dora has been rescheduled to Nov. 1-3and a date for the Open House event remains undecided at this time.
— Julie Garisto
Stay put if you live in The Villages
Sumter County emergency management reports: "With Hurricane Milton heading toward Sumter County, now is the time for residents to review their housing options, especially those unsure about the safety of their homes or access to their homes.
"Residents of The Villages development can take comfort in knowing that homes in this community were built above the 100-year floodplain and constructed to withstand predicted wind speeds. As a result, sheltering in place is recommended for these residents."
More at sumterprepares.com.
— Julie Garisto
Voluntary evacuation order in Lake County
Lake County has issued a voluntary evacuation order for residents living in manufactured homes, RVs, mobile homes, and low-lying or flood-prone areas.
Residents worried that they may be unsafe are encouraged to seek shelter with family and friends, or at one of the County's 15 shelters.
Once winds reach 35 miles per hour and higher, roads become too dangerous to drive on and emergency services may not be able to respond to residents who need assistance.
—Julie Garisto
Where to report price gouging
Too often during emergencies, some businesses will try to capitalize on their customers' panic and desperation by arbitrarily raising prices on their goods and services.
"Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and up to a total of $25,000 for multiple violations committed in a single 24-hour period," Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a press release.
If you encounter an unusual increase in pricing during the lead-up to Hurricane Milton, you can report it at the state attorney general's website. Click here for more information.
—Julie Garisto
What to do outside your home before Milton's arrival
The National Weather Service offers tips on how to prevent flying debris during high winds.
Remove debris from your yard
- Bring in outdoor furniture.
- Lawn chairs, trampolines, pool supplies, etc can be turned into flying debris.
Cover windows
- This is necessary to guard against flying debris.
- Plywood or professionally installed shutters are best.
- Taping windows does nothing to protect your home from wind.
Reinforce garage doors
- This will prevent wind from entering and causing dangerous/expensive damage.
Proper Maintenance
- Ensure that roofing materials, fencing, etc. are properly maintained and in good condition.
- This will allow them to be more resistant to wind damage.
Clear clogged rain gutters and downspouts
- This will help with the flow of water during heavy rainfall.
Information for citizens with special needs
Special needs residents who need help getting to a shelter should call the Citizens Information Line, 352-253-9999, to schedule their travel.
For general population residents, LakeXpress, Lake County’s fixed-route bus system, will provide free rides on Wednesday, Oct. 9, to travelers who state they need to be taken to a shelter.
Riders must tell the driver they are going to a shelter to use the free ride.
—Julie Garisto
(This story was updated to add new information)
(This story was updated to change or add a photo or video)