At least two million people in the Sunshine State are without power and thousands of homes have been destroyed: is traveling there a good idea?
ADVERTISEMENTFloridians are returning to their homes and businesses to assess the damage after millions were advised to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton.
The extreme weather killed at least eight people, but many expressed relief that Milton was not worse off. The hurricane spared densely populated Tampa a direct hit, and the deadly storm surge that scientists feared never arrived.
Arriving only two weeks after the disaster Hurricane Helenethe system knocked out power to more than three million customers, flooded barrier islands, tore the roof off the Tampa Bay Rays baseball stadium and toppled a construction crane.
Even so, tourism is vital to Florida's economy. The southeastern state is one of the most visited in all of the United States, with an estimated 140 million people making the trip in 2023.
Many people planning trips to the Sunshine State will likely have questions about how to deal with Milton's impact and its aftermath. Here's everything you need to know.
When do Florida airports reopen?
While most Florida airports closed in recent days, they are gradually reopening and resuming flights.
Orlando International Airport, the state's busiest, said domestic and international flight departures will resume today (Friday) after domestic arrivals resumed last night (Thursday). The airport suffered minor damage, including some leaks and downed trees.
Tampa International Airport, closest to where the storm hit, is also reopening today (Friday) along with Melbourne Orlando.
Although Florida was hit hardest by Milton, travel disruptions have spread across the country, so always check your flight status before heading to the airport.
I'm already on vacation in Florida. Should the airline take me home?
If you are traveling with a UK or European airline, the operator is obliged to bring you home as soon as there is availability. If there is a shortage of seats and you are forced to wait, the airline must provide accommodation and meals in the meantime.
If you were on a canceled flight and do not wish to reschedule it for any reason, the airline is required to reimburse you in full.
Milton prevented Simon Forster, his wife and two children from returning to Scotland as planned on Wednesday, so they enjoyed two extra days of their two-week vacation on Thursday on a busy International Drive in Orlando's tourist district. Hurricanes seem to be following them since 2022's Hurricane Ian prevented them from returning to Scotland after another holiday in Orlando.
“Two more days here, we could be in worse places,” he said.
The assistance travelers are entitled to differ depending on the type of trip you are taking.
In theory, if you are going on a package holiday, then your tour operator should make the necessary arrangements on your behalf.
ADVERTISEMENTHowever, emergency management arrangements in the state are well planned, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) having nearly 900 staff members in place across the region to assist.
“If you are traveling out of Florida, do not head to the airport unless that airport is open and safe to drive there,” the U.S. said. The Transportation Security Administration wrote about X yesterday (Thursday). “Always check with your airline(s) to verify flight status. »
Are Florida theme parks open?
Florida theme parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld plan to reopen today (Friday) after an assessment of the effects of Hurricane Milton.
Some special Halloween events will not be offered and may not operate fully today, but the public is welcome again, the parks said in news releases.
ADVERTISEMENTAs Milton came ashore as a major storm Wednesday, all three Orlando-based parks closed, putting a damper on vacations for tens of thousands of tourists, many of whom checked into hotels. Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld were all closed for at least part of Wednesday and all day Thursday.
Travel to Florida: Will I be entitled to a refund if my flight is canceled?
Typically, in hurricane situations and those where there is a potential risk of injury or loss of life, airlines and travel agencies provide support. Some travel insurance policies may also cover additional expenses, but check with your provider.
If your flight to destination Florida is cancelled, you can choose either a full refund – which includes the cost of the return flight, if booked together – or travel at a later date. Note, however, that flights immediately after airports reopen will be extremely busy, so you may want to consider an alternative, less busy route with airline support.
If you have opted for a package holiday, most providers will offer you a full refund. If you choose to travel for a shorter duration, you may be partially reimbursed for the days lost.
ADVERTISEMENTAlthough suppliers almost always offer a refund or the option to rebook, if you cancel your trip yourself, it's much less likely that you'll get a refund despite the situation in Florida.
If you have chosen to go it alone and book everything separately, you should try to claim on your travel insurance for any financial losses, including car hire or accommodation.
However, it is important that you check your travel insurance policy to see if you are covered for extreme weather eventsincluding hurricanes.
The majority of policies include such a clause, but the level of cover can often vary. For example, in some circumstances you will only be entitled to financial assistance to cover travel disruption, as opposed to actual compensation.
ADVERTISEMENTHow likely is travel to Florida to be affected by further storms?
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to last at least another seven weeks. This means that there is a very good chance that Milton This won't be the last storm to hit the United States before the end of the year.
Forecasters are currently closely monitoring a number of weather systems across the Atlantic basin, including one east of Florida that threatens to strengthen into Tropical Storm Nadine later this week.
Other meteorologists say this year's hurricane system has been more active than usual.
“The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has now generated 127 ACEs (accumulated cyclone energy), officially meeting NOAA's definition of an above-normal season,” wrote University of California meteorologist Phil Klotzbach. Colorado State, on X – formerly Twitter.
ADVERTISEMENTIf you plan to travel to Florida before the end of the year, it's a good idea to know the ACE, a metric that includes the frequency, intensity and duration of storms.
Extreme weather conditions can be unpredictable, so planning ahead is essential. As always, contact your travel provider if you have any concerns.
