Restaurant floods during weekend storm; more rain on the way for Central Florida
WKMG News 6
Last updated: May 26, 2026
A sudden, intense storm caused significant flooding at the Lake Harris Hideaway restaurant in Tavares, Florida. Despite the damage, the restaurant, with community support, reopened quickly.
- A severe, short-lived thunderstorm on a Saturday night overwhelmed the Lake Harris Hideaway restaurant with floodwaters. The owner, Jason Kelyman, described the event as a rapid deluge that lasted only minutes but caused substantial damage to items on the floor.
- Restaurant staff, including Kelyman's wife, swiftly evacuated guests, with employees assisting elderly patrons to their cars just moments before conditions worsened. This rapid response prevented more serious situations.
- Meteorologist Julie Broughton explained that heavy rainfall, estimated at 2-5 inches in parts of Lake County, coupled with dry ground conditions, led to the flash flooding. The region remains under drought conditions, highlighting the need for rain but not in such concentrated bursts.
- Looking ahead, the forecast indicated the possibility of more heavy rain and potential flooding due to an expected plume of tropical moisture later in the week.
- Despite the extensive damage, the Lake Harris Hideaway was operational by Monday, in time for the Memorial Day weekend. Kelyman attributed the swift recovery to his staff and the strong support from the local community, who assisted with cleanup efforts.
