10/08/2024
【Important Notice for Those Planning to Travel to Florida This Week】
As reported in the news, Hurricane Milton, which rapidly developed in the Gulf of Mexico, has strengthened to a Category 5, the most powerful category for hurricanes. The current forecast (as of 12:00 AM ET on October 😎 predicts that it will make landfall on the west coast of the Florida Peninsula as a Category 3 hurricane at 11:00 PM on Wednesday, October 9, and then cross the peninsula. While it is expected to move into the Atlantic Ocean by Thursday afternoon, the west coast of the Florida Peninsula is forecasted to experience storm surges as high as 15 feet (about 4.5 meters), potentially causing significant damage.
The state of Florida is urging residents, especially in areas where the hurricane is expected to make landfall, to take early precautions and evacuate if necessary.
As of 12:00 AM ET on October 8, the following airport closures have been announced:
TPA (Tampa International Airport)
All scheduled flights will be suspended starting at 9:00 AM on October 8 in preparation for the hurricane. The airport facilities will be closed to entry, and parking lots will also be closed. The reopening will be announced after assessing the situation post-hurricane.
SRQ (Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport)
The airport will close at 4:00 PM on October 8. Reopening will be determined based on conditions after the hurricane passes.
MCO (Orlando International Airport)
Commercial flights will be suspended starting at 8:00 AM on October 9. The airport will remain operational only for emergency supply transport. The resumption of commercial flights will be announced after evaluating the post-hurricane situation.
If you are currently traveling in Florida, please avoid any non-essential movement, stay in a safe location, and keep yourself updated with the latest information.
