On Friday, October 11, much of Florida began its recovery process after Hurricane Milton. The devastating Category 3 storm swept through the state, leaving millions without power and causing substantial flooding. 


Hurricane Milton made landfall late on Wednesday, October 9, in Siesta Key before progressing into the Atlantic Ocean. Notable damage includes the tearing of the fabric roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. The hurricane’s impact on Florida airports has been significant, leading to widespread Florida flight disruptions.

Travel Disruptions and Recovery Efforts

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Travelers have been kept updated via the Visit Florida tourism site, which provides updates from the state’s Emergency Response Team as well as relevant closures and openings. As of Friday, Tampa International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport, and Orlando International Airport have all resumed operations, marking the beginning of travel recovery after Hurricane Milton.

 

Despite the re-openings, Florida hurricane flight cancellations continued into Friday, with over 530 flights canceled within, into, or out of the United States. However, this is a marked improvement from the over 2,200 flights canceled on Thursday and more than 1,900 canceled on Wednesday.

 

Major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Spirit Airlines, have extended their flight waivers into the coming week to accommodate affected travelers.

Looking Ahead: Post-Hurricane Travel Advise

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Moreover, heartening news came as major theme parks in Florida, including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, reopened. “Our hearts are with our fellow Floridians who were impacted by this storm,” said Disney in a statement. 

 

Florida’s ports, significant destinations for cruises in the country, are also working towards recovery. While Jacksonville’s port and Port Canaveral have reopened land operations, water operations remain closed. Port Tampa Bay continues to assess its operations as power issues persist.

 

For those planning to visit Florida in the near future, post-hurricane travel advice includes checking with airlines for the latest flight information, confirming hotel reservations, and staying updated on local conditions. Travelers are encouraged to remain flexible with their plans as the state continues its recovery efforts.


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