Hurricane Irma blamed for sewage release in Mount Dora's Lake John after lift station fails

City workers are cleaning up Lake John after a portion of a road in a subdivision washed out during the height of Hurricane Irma, setting off a chain reaction that resulted in a sewage spill, officials said Thursday.

A water line broke after a road in Dogwood Mountain Reserve off Old Eustis Road gave way, resulting in a release of water into the Lake John area. The floodwaters entered the sewer system, causing a sewage release into Lake John from a lift station, according to city spokeswoman Lisa McDonald. The washout created a crater about 20 to 30 feet deep and 110 feet by 110 feet wide, she said.

City crews “have been working diligently since the storm to deal with the situation,” McDonald said. “As of today [Thursday], they are getting close to a resolution.”

She said the city reported the spill to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

“Once it is under control, the city will have an environmental reparation firm on-site to fully clean the damage that has come from the event,” McDonald said.

Nearby Lake Gertrude had some sewage spillover and will be cleaned up as well, she said.

“There is a foul smell in the area and residents are urged to avoid going near the lake until it can be cleaned up,” she said.