Record amount of rainfall turned catastrophic across Mount Dora and Eustis, leaving behind a trail of destruction, washed-out roads, and a community now under a local State of Emergency.

Officials estimate up to 19 inches of rain fell in Eustis and 17 inches in Mount Dora, overwhelming storm drains, splitting pavement apart and creating powerful torrents that swept through neighborhoods and roadways.

By sunrise, the scene in Eustis and Mount Dora resembled the aftermath of a hurricane. On Donnelley Street, just south of U.S. 441, the roadway had completely collapsed, asphalt shredded, water rushing beneath exposed earth, and one car resting upside down at the bottom of the washout. Its hazard lights still flashing through the morning fog served as a haunting reminder of how quickly the flooding struck.

“You can actually hear the water build up underneath the road and then suddenly release — it’s like a burst of a waterfall,” one witness said at the scene. “The ground just gave way.”

Nearby, Wolf Branch Road at Timberlake Drive suffered similar devastation. Engineers estimate a section of the road there has been washed out nearly 85 feet across, creating a massive drop-off.

Lake County Commission Chair Leslie Campione was on scene at the Wolf Branch washout, and while she was hesitant to give an estimated time until the roadway would be usable again, she assured everyone that crews are on it.

“I’m hopeful,” she says.” But I can’t say yet how many weeks it’ll take. We’re on it, and we’ve got folks down here right now working.”

Commission Chair Campione declared a local State of Emergency Monday morning, coordinating efforts between local, state and federal agencies.

“If you can avoid getting on the road today, that would be best so we can figure out how to reroute traffic until repairs can begin,” she says. “Donnelley, Wolf Branch and State Road 46 are key routes, and their closures will have a major impact on the region.”

Campione also had plans to personally to assess overflow conditions near the Mid Florida Landfill. She also urged residents to work from home and keep roadways clear for emergency personnel.

Road Closures as of Monday Morning:

• Wolf Branch Road at Timberlake Drive – road washed out, impassable
• Donnelley Street (North of Limit Ave and South of U.S. 441) – road completely collapsed
• Old Eustis Road – closed from Donnelly Street to Dogwood Circle
• U.S. 441 – closed from Limit Avenue to Bristol Lake Road
• State Road 46 – closed near the landfill entrance
• Britt Road – closed from Horse Ranch Road west

In Mount Dora, a citywide precautionary boil water notice was issued after pressure dropped from both plants when flooding caused a line break. Crews are working to locate and repair the damage.

Residents reported evacuations near Waterman Village after sections of the parking lot and nearby roadways collapsed. Emergency crews and city engineers are continuing damage assessments throughout the day.

“This is not over,” one emergency official said at the Donnelley wash out. “The ground is saturated, water is still moving underground, and we could see more collapses before it’s done.”

Photos taken Monday morning show Donnelley Street completely washed out, debris littering the intersection, and deep gullies carved by rushing water. At Wolf Branch, what once was a two-lane road now drops sharply into a muddy ravine.