ASTOR, Fla. — Hurricane Milton’s effects are still being felt in several communities in Central Florida.

Across Lake County and other areas residents are seeing record high levels along the St. Johns River. While some areas are already at a major flood stage, water levels are expected to rise even more this week.

15 shelters were opened for about 1,700 evacuees in Lake County, and officials said at this time they’re looking at about $10 million in damage in Lake County, However, that number could double or even triple once all the water recedes and areas that are currently not accessible can be surveyed, officials said.

“As a result of the storm, the St. Johns River at Astor hit a historic high of 4.81 feet,” Lake County Emergency Management Director Megan Milanese said. “Water does not recede quickly, unfortunately, so we do expect to see levels remain high for the foreseeable future.”

The boat ramps continue to be closed, which hurts the local economy, as every business here depends on the fishing tourism the river brings. Now it’s a waiting game as water levels go down.

It’s a situation that not only affects James Powell, owner of the Powell Campground in Astor, but the entire community that depends on fishing tourism.

“We can’t rent the cabins; we can’t rent the boat slips and other people in town can’t do anything either. It’s going to have a major effect on the economy for at least probably 6-8 weeks,” said Powell. “I think this is what we’re in [for]. I think this is the new normal.”

Lake County has also enacted the Astor Watch program. They have opened a Comfort Atation at the Butler Street boat ramp where residents can do laundry, take showers, and charge their electronics.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office also has a Mobile Command Center where they are protecting affected areas.

Many voluntarily evacuate out of Clermont community

In Clermont, many in the Emerald Lakes community voluntarily evacuated their homes because of excess water Sunday, according to the city’s police department.

The development is made up of 211 individual homes, including Emerald Lakes Co-op, a 60-home lakefront mobile home park with connectivity to the Clermont Chain of Lakes.

The evacuations came after Hurricane Milton brought consistent rainfall for several hours.

The power has been shut off to the mobile home park, and law enforcement will patrol regularly to monitor the water levels, the Clermont Police Department said.

Clermont Fire Chief David Ezell says some residents needed their assistance in getting out safely.

“We were out here yesterday in concert with the police department and with our public services division. And we assisted about 14 different household with evacuating the community,” said Ezell.

Homeowner Association President Ken Cook has been busy walking through high waters to get back and forth from homes since Hurricane Milton struck.

Cook lives on a peninsula in the Emerald Lakes Mobile Home Park where residents were urged to evacuate.

“It’s come up steadily ever since we came back,” said Cook. “I told the other residents that I think we are going to have to move.”

Cook said they are battling recent heavy rainfall from hurricanes, saturated ground and higher than normal lake levels spilling into the area.

“Normally, the lake level here is around 97 feet. This morning it was 98.44. So that is what we are fighting,” said Cook.

Most of the residents evacuated and retreated to area shelters, hotels or are staying with friends and family.