A bridge located in the Spring Ridge Estates neighborhood of Eustis partially collapsed Thursday evening, following days of record rainfall and flooding.
The incident forced the evacuation of 21 homes along Creek Run Lane, the only access route for residents in that area. City officials report that erosion from floodwaters undermined the bridge’s foundation. By about 6 p.m. Thursday, one side of the structure had failed, prompting emergency crews to order mandatory evacuations. The evacuation was completed by 12:30 a.m. Friday.
At around 7 a.m. Friday, the bridge experienced further structural failure, rendering it completely impassable. Creek Run Lane will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
Because the bridge is privately owned and maintained by the Spring Ridge Estates Homeowners Association, City of Eustis staff have been coordinating closely with the HOA representatives, Lake County Emergency Management, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Eustis Public Works to evaluate next steps and ensure the area’s safety.
Twelve of the displaced families have been temporarily relocated to local hotels. Residents’ water service was shut off as a precaution to prevent further collapse of the main.
City Manager Tom Carrino praised the swift response of all agencies involved.
“We are fortunate to have dedicated teams that are committed to public safety and protecting our community,” said Carrino.
Eustis Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Kelleher emphasized the severity of the event.
“The structural integrity of the bridge in Spring Ridge Estates was compromised due to the floodwaters after the Sunday, Oct. 26 rain event,” said Kelleher. “In response, we took immediate action to get the surrounding residents to safety. We will continue to evaluate the lasting effects of the rain on various structures and utilities across the city.”
Eustis Fire Chief Mike Swanson noted that the storm’s impact continues to be felt.
“Sunday’s rainfall was a high-impact weather event that compromised the bridge’s structural integrity. All this water is still running toward low-lying areas, and as long as it keeps moving, we will continue to see undermined structures and utilities,” said Swanson. “Fortunately, we were able to respond quickly and get the residents to safety.”
City crews are currently working to shore up the remaining portions of the bridge while long-term repair plans are developed.
“We remain committed to protecting our community from ongoing erosion risks and will continue to monitor conditions throughout the city,” said Swanson.