Waves crashing against the shoreline of Lake Monroe are threatening to wash away large sections of U.S. Highway 17-92, west of downtown Sanford.

Authorities closed the road between Central Florida Regional Hospital and Interstate 4 after the water began eating away sections of the asphalt.

"I think there is a pretty good possibility of the lane closest to the lake being undermined," said Seminole County Fire Chief Terry Schenk.

About 10 a.m., Schenk clocked sustained winds along the lakefront at 38 mph with gusts to 50 mph.

Along much of the area immediately west of the hospital, the water has washed away the ground between the seawall and the roadway. In two places it has already washed away portions of the asphalt.

Scattered power outages are causing some problems in Seminole County. At least 27 intersections have traffic lights that are not operating, mostly because of power outages.

Shelters at Geneva Elementary School in Geneva and Millenium Middle School in Sanford were operating on generators, and a special needs shelter at Layer Elementary School in Winter Springs had no power at all.

In unincorporated Seminole County, power was off at 31 sewage lift stations.