“Plan To Be Home and Locked In by 2PM.” Hurricane Milton Expected To Make Landfall SOON; Meteorologists Issue Warnings.

As Florida prepares for Hurricane Milton to make landfall either tonight or tomorrow morning on the west coast of Florida, many theme parks, including Disney World, have already announced closures.

On October 7th, Hurricane Milton quickly strengthened to become a Category 5 storm, with winds up to 160 miles per hour. As a result, parts of Florida, including Disney World, are under a Hurricane Warning. Now, we’ve got an update on that storm.

As of 8AM this morning (Wednesday), the National Hurricane Center is forecasting a high risk of flash flooding from Hurricane Milton, with rainfall totals of up to 18 inches expected across Florida. This brings a risk of life-threatening flash flooding, as well as river flooding.

There is also an enhanced risk for several tornadoes to form today and tonight across parts of central and southern Florida.

At 9:08AM, the National Weather Service in Miami posted footage of a tornado crossing I-75 and told residents to seek shelter ASAP.

TORNADO just crossed I-75! https://t.co/RZCkn3LlSn pic.twitter.com/27R33J02Kk

— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) October 9, 2024

The forecasted track of Hurricane Milton has shifted north about 13 miles. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting it will make landfall as a Category 4 storm.

5am advisory shifts the forecast track north about 13 miles.

Hurricane center is clearly saying that this will strike as a major hurricane, now forecast to hit the west coast as a category 4 storm.

Central Florida impacts look to be the same, hurricane winds, tornado risk, and… pic.twitter.com/G1NFv1hEL1

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) October 9, 2024

Tornado Watches are also already in effect for parts of Florida. And as of this afternoon, on October 9th, a tornado warning was issued until 3 PM for Osceola County which includes parts of Disney World.

FIRST WARNING: Tornado Warning (Observed) issued for Osceola County until 3:00 PM

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) October 9, 2024

 

The latest from the National Hurricane Center warns that a storm surge of 10 feet or higher is expected along part of the west-central coast of Florida. Those along these coasts have been urged to evacuate. Hurricane-force winds are expected to spread inland.

At 5PM ET, another model similar to the one above was shared with some key messages. It details that the highest storm surge is expected to be 10 feet or higher along a portion of the west-central coast of the Florida Peninsula, and the coast will also see damaging waves in addition to the storm surge. Hurricane-force winds are expected all throughout Florida, and tornado warnings will continue into the evening hours across the southern and central portions of the state.

5pm EDT Oct 9th Key Messages for #Hurricane #Milton:

Many hazards ongoing in association with the hurricane currently, with life-threatening storm surge & hurricane-force winds expected on west FL Peninsula tonight.https://t.co/LQEVorqXZH pic.twitter.com/2WEiFIfHqe

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 9, 2024

As a result of the Hurricane Warnings, Disney World has adjusted its cancellation policy to make it easy for those who need to cancel trips to the resort this week. Also note that Orlando International Airport is ceasing commercial operations today, Wednesday, ahead of the hurricane. The airport will not be closed, though, and will remain open for emergency, aid, and relief flights. Commercial flights will begin after damage is assessed.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for more updates, so check back with AllEars again soon for more.

Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Cancelation Policies During a Hurricane

Have you had to cancel a trip to Disney World this week due to the hurricane? Share with us in the comments!