Large sections of Florida began recovering on Friday after Hurricane Milton swept through the state as a major storm. Airports and theme parks have started reopening, allowing the state to resume normal operations after the devastating impact.
Hurricane Milton’s Destructive Path
Hurricane Milton made landfall late Wednesday night in Siesta Key as a powerful Category 3 storm. The storm left a trail of destruction as it moved into the Atlantic Ocean, causing widespread power outages and flooding in neighborhoods across Florida, according to The Associated Press. The storm, which followed closely after Hurricane Helene, caused significant damage, including tearing the fabric roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.
Resources for Travelers
Florida’s tourism board, Visit Florida, has provided resources for travelers affected by the storm. These include updates from the state’s Emergency Response Team and information on openings and closures of national parks across the state.
Airports Begin to Reopen
Several Florida airports, which suspended operations ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival, began reopening on Friday. Tampa International Airport (TPA) welcomed its first flight after a three-day closure but noted that “extreme wind gusts and heavy rainfall” from the storm caused damage in several areas that will require repairs.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), which closed on Wednesday, also reopened on Friday morning. Meanwhile, Orlando International Airport (MCO), which shut down early Wednesday, resumed domestic arrivals on Thursday night and was fully operational by Friday, reopening to both departures and international flights.
Orlando’s airport noted that despite minor damage, including leaks and downed trees, the facility remains structurally sound. Crews continue to work on equipment preparation and clearing roadways to ensure traveler safety.
Flight Cancellations Continue
Despite the reopening of airports, flight cancellations remained an issue into Friday. Over 530 flights within, into, or out of the United States were canceled, according to FlightAware. However, this number was significantly lower than the 2,200 cancellations on Thursday and 1,900 on Wednesday. Several airlines, including Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue, and Spirit, extended their flight waivers into the weekend and even next week.
Theme Parks Reopen to Visitors
Major Florida theme parks also reopened on Friday, with Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort welcoming guests back. Disney expressed relief that the resort weathered the storm, adding in a statement, “Our hearts are with our fellow Floridians who were impacted by this storm.”
Florida Ports Recovering
As one of the largest cruise destinations in the country, Florida’s ports were also working toward recovery. Both the Port of Jacksonville and Port Canaveral reopened land operations on Friday, though water operations remained closed. Port Tampa Bay was still assessing its landside and seaside operations as it continued to deal with power outages.
Conclusion
While Florida has begun to recover from Hurricane Milton, the state still faces challenges, including infrastructure repairs and continued flight cancellations. Airports, theme parks, and ports are making significant strides toward resuming full operations, and resources are available to help travelers stay informed as the state rebuilds in the aftermath of this powerful storm.
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