TThe US state of Florida has ordered evacuations ahead of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall in the early hours of Thursday October 10. The extremely powerful storm was not named until October 5, but within 48 hours it “explosively” intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, the highest category. It was temporarily downgraded to Category 4, before returning to Category 5. Storm surges of up to 15 feet are expected to inundate normally dry areas, with wind speeds reaching 250 mph or more.
Nearly six million Floridians were asked to leave their homes before the hurricane arrived. President Biden told residents Tuesday that they “should have evacuated by now,” adding, “It's a question of life and death, and that is not hyperbole. It's a matter of life and death.
Several airports, including Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport, announced closures ahead of the hurricane, affecting many flights from the United Kingdom.
With the arrival of a potentially deadly storm, travel warnings are in place across the state. If you're planning to visit Florida, here's what you need to know.
When will Hurricane Milton make landfall?
According to an update from the United States National Hurricane Center, as of 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday, October 9, Hurricane Milton is currently in the Gulf of Mexico.
It is expected to move eastward and approach the west coast of Florida later today, making landfall around Tampa around 1 a.m. Thursday, October 10.
After making landfall, the storm is expected to track east toward the Atlantic, leaving Florida around 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 10.
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Hurricane Milton crosses the Gulf of Mexico
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Have any flights been canceled and which airports have been closed?
Several Florida airports have been temporarily closed, including Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA).
Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), and Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) are currently open and monitoring the situation .
Airlines including Virgin Atlantic, TUI and British Airways canceled flights from the UK to Florida due to the hurricane.
Did the hurricane affect Walt Disney World?
Yes. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld in Orlando all closed before Hurricane Milton made landfall.
Ticket holders should contact the relevant supplier regarding refunds.
Is there a live tracker to follow the hurricane?
You can follow the storm live on U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website. It shows the predicted path of Hurricane Milton and other potential storms.
Which areas of Florida have been evacuated?
Currently, mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, St. Johns and Volusia County. The majority of these counties are on the west coast of Florida, on either side of Tampa.
Additionally, several counties have voluntary evacuation orders in place, particularly for people living in low-lying areas or mobile homes.
The complete list of evacuation orders can be found here.
Is it safe to travel to Florida during Hurricane Milton?
Hurricane Milton is a potentially deadly storm, causing flight cancellations and numerous airport closures. Although some areas of the state will not be directly impacted by the storm, evacuation orders mean there will be many people displaced and those attempting to travel to other areas of the country. As of the last update, a state of emergency has been declared in more than 50 counties (including Miami-Dade and Palm Beach). Visitors traveling against evacuation orders may not be insured.
A red warning flag is seen on a beach in Mexico ahead of Hurricane Milton's arrival.
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Can I get a refund if I cancel my vacation due to the hurricane?
If you have booked a trip to Florida in the near future, you should contact your tour operator. It's likely they will cancel your trip and automatically offer you a full refund or the option to rebook for another time. If you cancel your trip yourself, you're unlikely to get a refund despite what's happening in Florida.
• Compensation for canceled and delayed flights: everything you need to know
Am I covered by my travel insurance?
You should check your travel insurance policy to see if you are covered against extreme weather events such as a hurricane. Many policies have a clause about this, but the level of cover can vary. In some cases, you will only receive money to cover travel disruption rather than any compensation.
• Travel insurance guide: everything you need to know
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