(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)
Hurricane Milton roared across Florida on Wednesday and into Thursday, with high winds, rain and storm surge. In Lake and Sumter counties thousands of customers lost power. Stay tuned here for the latest updates on Thursday.
Power outages in Lake and Sumter counties as of 6 p.m. Thursday
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, 92,361 customers were without power in Lake County. That's 45.5% of all accounts.
In Sumter County, 18,197 customers were without power. That's 17.9% of all accounts.
To learn more, check our tracker.
— Jim Ross
More Hurricane Milton damage photos from Lake County
'Yeah, it was pretty bad last night.'
A look back at how Lake County fared in the storm.
Check out the Hurricane Milton damage, area by area in Florida
It's all in this report from USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida.
Power outages in Lake and Sumter counties as of 1:45 p.m. Thursday
As of 1:45 p.m. Thursday, 102,918 customers were without power in Lake County. That's 50.7% of all accounts.
In Sumter County, 19,833 customers were without power. That's 19.5% of all accounts.
To learn more, check our tracker.
Pollution spill in Leesburg
The Department of Environmental Protection has reported a sewage water spill of approximately 1,925,000 gallons with 200,000 gallons recovered at 628 N. Canal St. Thursday morning. Hurricane Milton caused flooding in the surrounding area, causing a backup generator power to short out when the automatic transfer switch closed the generator breaker. Lime solvent has been applied at the Leesburg Wastewater Treatment plant.
—Julie Garisto
Mount Dora damage report
Mount Dora strongly encourages all residents to remain indoors, the city's spokesperson said in a press release issued Thursday morning.
Power outages: 53.76% of the electric utility customers are without power. As of early Thursday morning, wind conditions were too unsafe for crews to begin restoration efforts.
Road washouts: The intersection at Wolf Branch Road between Timberlake Drive and Round Lake Road has one lane that's completely washed out. Britt Road near Future Farm Road is washed out, and Round Lake Road and Wolf Branch Road are flooded and starting to wash out.
Downed trees and road blockages:
- Grandview between 10th & 11th Avenue - Partial Blockage
- Baker Street & 10th Avenue
- Sylvan Drive & Heim Road
- Lincoln Avenue & N Rhodes Street
- 1st Ave & Groveland Road
- 1st Avenue & Pinecrest Road
- 11th Avenue & Tremain Street - Partial Blockage
- Normandy Blvd & Northside Drive
- 1812 Overlook Drive
- Dorset Drive & Wardell Street
- Simpson Avenue & 11th Avenue
- Alexander Avenue & 8th Avenue
- Baker Street & 11th Avenue
Flooded roads:
- Old Eustis Road
- Clayton Street & 1st Avenue
- Highland Street & 9th Avenue
- Old Hwy 441 & Lucerne Drive
- Round Lake Road
- State Road 46
—Julie Garisto
Sumter County building services info and shelters still open
In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Sumter County’s Building Services will be available on Thursday via phone only at 352-689-4400 for those needing assistance submitting emergency permit services due to the storm.
Permit applications can still be submitted online. Building Services will reopen for in-person assistance at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, at The Villages Sumter County Service Center, 7375 Powell Road, Wildwood. Customers may also text questions or requests for information to 352-282-0573.
All of Sumter's emergency shelters remain open except for the fairgrounds, which is full.
- South Sumter High School, 706 N. Main St., Bushnell has 172 occupants and 41 pets.
- Webster Elementary School, 349 S. Market Blvd., Webster has 65 occupants and 14 pets.
- Special Needs Shelter at the Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Rd, Wildwood has 63 occupants and 11 pets.
- The Oxford Assembly of God, 12114 US-301. Oxford is a privately run shelter that has 112 occupants and 10 pets.
- Center Hill Community Center, 74 S. Virginia Ave., Center Hill, has 17 occupants and four pets
—Julie Garisto
Lake-Sumter State College to remain closed on Friday
Lake-Sumter State College will remain closed on Friday, Oct. 11.
The Leesburg campus does not have power. Designated essential personnel will return to campus on Friday to begin recovery efforts. Additional updates will be sent through the LSSC Alert system, email, social media, and lssc.edu/storm.
—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
Power outages in Lake and Sumter counties after Hurricane Milton
As of 9:15 a.m. Thursday, 116,378 customers were without power in Lake County. That's 57.4% of all accounts.
In Sumter County, 20,275 customers were without power. That's 20% of all accounts.
To learn more, check our tracker.
— Jim Ross
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
A Category 3 storm at landfall
Hurricane Milton was a Category 3 storm when it made landfall about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday near Siesta Key. Here's a recap of the storm's path.
(This story was updated to add new information)
(This story was updated to change or add a photo or video)
