Hurricane Milton Strikes Florida Prompting Closures and Evacuations

Hurricane Milton, a powerful storm threatening the central Gulf Coast of Florida, is projected to impact the Tampa Bay region. The National Weather Service has forecasted landfall between 11 p.m. on October 9 and 2 a.m. on October 10. The hurricane is expected to unleash catastrophic damage across the state, maintaining its intensity as it traverses towards the Atlantic. Forecasts suggest that Milton may hit as a Category 3 or 4 hurricane.

Walt Disney World, a notable Florida landmark, has announced specific protocols in response to the impending hurricane. It has closed its theme parks and Disney Springs in a phased manner starting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9. Special events, such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, set for October 10, have been canceled, with ticket holders receiving refunds. The company recognizes the uncertain conditions and has yet to determine a reopening date, although they may consider reopening Disney Springs with limited services on Thursday.

Disney World’s accommodation policies have been adjusted, allowing guests to modify their stay dates without penalties if a National Hurricane Center warning is issued for the Orlando area or the guest’s home within seven days of their scheduled arrival. This change applies to reservations made directly through Disney, while third-party bookings must be addressed separately.

Amidst the chaos, the Guadarrama-Baumunk family from Phoenix, Arizona, decided to continue with their planned Disney World vacation. Despite the impending hurricane, Sandra Guadarrama-Baumunk, her family, and her daughter’s boyfriend, arrived on October 5, optimistic about the storm missing them. “I thought positively that it was going to miss us,” Guadarrama-Baumunk expressed, believing the resort to be a safe haven given its preparedness for such events.

They stayed at the resort as parks closed ahead of the hurricane’s impact on the western-central coast, near Siesta Key in Sarasota County. The family engaged in activities organized by the resort, including games and crafts, and faced minor inconveniences such as a fire alarm triggered during the storm.

Throughout Florida, Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc, causing widespread power outages affecting roughly 2.5 million customers and necessitating rescue operations for about 1,000 people and 100 animals. Communities, including mobile home parks, faced extensive damage, and the human toll with more than a dozen fatalities attributed to the storm.

Disney World is slated to reopen on Friday, but the state continues to grapple with the aftermath of powerful winds and flooding, intensifying recovery efforts in affected areas.