Airports in Florida have told passengers to check their flight status, while theme parks say they are closely monitoring Hurricane Milton, which is heading towards Florida.
Milton strengthened yesterday to a category five hurricane and the National Hurricane Center has warned it is ‘extremely dangerous’, with sustained winds of 180mph.
It is expected to hit the Tampa Bay area of Florida tomorrow (Wednesday) and the local airport, Tampa International, will suspend operations at 9am local time today (Tuesday 8 October). It said it will remain closed ‘until it can assess any damage after the storm’. Other airports that are further away are planning to close later today or tomorrow.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has issued a travel warning for Florida, to say: “Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida on the night of 9 October or morning of 10 October with tropical force winds affecting the west coast from the morning of 9 October.
“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and high winds on the west coast and heavy rainfall and high winds are expected to impact large parts of Florida.”
It said British travellers should check the US National Hurricane Center and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) websites and follow instructions from local authorities, including evacuation orders.
It added: “Check with your airline or travel agent about possible disruption to flights or airport services and follow their advice.”
Melbourne Orlando International Airport will close to commercial flights at 2pm on Wednesday and plans to reopen at 9am on Friday. Orlando International Airport will close at 10pm today (Tuesday). “Commercial operations will resume as soon as possible based on damage assessment,” the airport said.
It has told passengers to check with their airlines about flight plans and told travellers: “If you’re having trouble reaching your airline, we recommend checking their official website or social media for real-time updates.”
Walt Disney World Resort is closing its Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa from 11am on Wednesday 9 October.
It said it expects to reopen Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge on Friday 11 October and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa on Sunday 13 October.
Disney said: “We are closely monitoring the path of the projected storm, and the safety of our guests and Cast Members remains our top priority. Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions and will continue to be on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
“Looking ahead, we are making adjustments based on the latest weather forecast and some areas with unique environments.”
Royal Caribbean has told passengers on flagship Icon of the Seas, currently sailing on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, that the ship will not call at its CocoCay private island destination in the Bahamas on 11 October.
Royal Caribbean said: “We’ve been monitoring inclement weather along our path due to Hurricane Milton. In order to steer clear of any adverse weather, we’ll need to skip our visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, and enjoy a Sea Day instead.”
Six other cruise ships in the fleet have had to revise sailings, including Grandeur of the Seas, which has had to revise its entire itinerary after setting sail from Tampa Bay yesterday on a five-night Western Caribbean cruise yesterday. Instead of calling on Costa Maya, Mexico, and Cozumel, Mexico, as planned, the ship will only make one port call, to Nassau, Bahamas, Cruise Hive reports.
The FCDO has also issued a warning for British travellers in Mexico, saying: “Damaging hurricane-force winds are expected across portions of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. A life-threatening storm surge with damaging waves is also likely along portions of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.”
The post Airports and attractions on alert as ‘extremely dangerous’ Hurricane Milton heads to Florida appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
Milton strengthened yesterday to a category five hurricane and the National Hurricane Center has warned it is ‘extremely dangerous’, with sustained winds of 180mph.
It is expected to hit the Tampa Bay area of Florida tomorrow (Wednesday) and the local airport, Tampa International, will suspend operations at 9am local time today (Tuesday 8 October). It said it will remain closed ‘until it can assess any damage after the storm’. Other airports that are further away are planning to close later today or tomorrow.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has issued a travel warning for Florida, to say: “Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida on the night of 9 October or morning of 10 October with tropical force winds affecting the west coast from the morning of 9 October.
“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and high winds on the west coast and heavy rainfall and high winds are expected to impact large parts of Florida.”
It said British travellers should check the US National Hurricane Center and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) websites and follow instructions from local authorities, including evacuation orders.
It added: “Check with your airline or travel agent about possible disruption to flights or airport services and follow their advice.”
Melbourne Orlando International Airport will close to commercial flights at 2pm on Wednesday and plans to reopen at 9am on Friday. Orlando International Airport will close at 10pm today (Tuesday). “Commercial operations will resume as soon as possible based on damage assessment,” the airport said.
It has told passengers to check with their airlines about flight plans and told travellers: “If you’re having trouble reaching your airline, we recommend checking their official website or social media for real-time updates.”
Walt Disney World Resort is closing its Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa from 11am on Wednesday 9 October.
It said it expects to reopen Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge on Friday 11 October and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa on Sunday 13 October.
Disney said: “We are closely monitoring the path of the projected storm, and the safety of our guests and Cast Members remains our top priority. Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions and will continue to be on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
“Looking ahead, we are making adjustments based on the latest weather forecast and some areas with unique environments.”
Royal Caribbean has told passengers on flagship Icon of the Seas, currently sailing on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, that the ship will not call at its CocoCay private island destination in the Bahamas on 11 October.
Royal Caribbean said: “We’ve been monitoring inclement weather along our path due to Hurricane Milton. In order to steer clear of any adverse weather, we’ll need to skip our visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, and enjoy a Sea Day instead.”
Six other cruise ships in the fleet have had to revise sailings, including Grandeur of the Seas, which has had to revise its entire itinerary after setting sail from Tampa Bay yesterday on a five-night Western Caribbean cruise yesterday. Instead of calling on Costa Maya, Mexico, and Cozumel, Mexico, as planned, the ship will only make one port call, to Nassau, Bahamas, Cruise Hive reports.
The FCDO has also issued a warning for British travellers in Mexico, saying: “Damaging hurricane-force winds are expected across portions of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. A life-threatening storm surge with damaging waves is also likely along portions of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.”
The post Airports and attractions on alert as ‘extremely dangerous’ Hurricane Milton heads to Florida appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
