As of this morning, Hurricane Milton continues to intensify in the Gulf of Mexico, now a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 160 mph.
The storm is tracking northeast at 14 mph and is expected to make landfall along Florida's west-central coast after midnight. The National Weather Service warns that Hurricane Milton will bring significant hazards to east-central Florida late tonight and into Thursday, including damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and a high risk of tornadoes.
Current Watches and Warnings
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the following counties, including areas around Walt Disney World.
Key Hazards
Tornado Risk Increasing
The risk of tornadoes is significantly increasing today across east-central Florida as wind shear intensifies with Hurricane Milton's approach. Tornado watches are expected to be issued by late morning or early afternoon. These tornadoes, often embedded within rain bands, can form quickly, posing an added threat to residents and visitors. Stay alert and ensure you have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings.
Damaging Winds
As Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast, its outer rainbands will reach central Florida throughout the day, bringing gusty winds. By this evening, winds are expected to strengthen further, with tropical storm-force winds increasing to hurricane-force gusts overnight. A swath of sustained hurricane-force winds is possible near the storm's center, potentially knocking down trees and power lines and causing widespread power outages.
Residents and visitors in central Florida should be in a safe shelter by tonight to avoid hazardous conditions.
Heavy Rain and Flooding
Significant rainfall is expected throughout Wednesday and Thursday, with the heaviest rain falling tonight into Thursday morning. Rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches are expected across east-central Florida, with 10 to 15 inches possible along the I-4 corridor, including the Greater Orlando area. These amounts will lead to life-threatening flash flooding, particularly in low-lying and urban areas.
Disney World and Other Central Florida Parks Impacted
As Hurricane Milton approaches, Walt Disney World has announced park closures for Wednesday, October 9, with further closures likely on Thursday, October 10. Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando have also implemented closures through Thursday due to the storm.
Disney Park Closure Schedule for October 9, 2024
Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios will close at 1 pm on Wednesday.
Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will close at 2 pm.
Potential Additional Closures on October 10
While official announcements for October 10 are pending, it is likely that Walt Disney World theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, as Hurricane Milton moves across the state. As part of the closures, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party scheduled for Thursday, October 10, at Magic Kingdom has been canceled. Guests with tickets for the event will automatically receive refunds.
Disney says that it may consider opening Disney Springs on Thursday in the late afternoon, with limited offerings.
Disney Transportation and Resort Services
- Walt Disney World Transportation will cease operations after the parks and Disney Springs close on Wednesday, October 9. Guests staying on property are encouraged to plan accordingly.
- Limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi services will still be available for Walt Disney World Resort Guests, but availability may be restricted.
Additional Closures
- Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will also be closed on Wednesday, October 9.
- Disney's Blizzard Beach remains closed for planned refurbishment.
Dining and Experience Cancellations
To accommodate the disruptions caused by the hurricane, Disney has announced that it will not enforce cancellation policies for dining and other booked experiences until further notice. Pre-paid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.
Resort Closure Details
In addition to the theme park closures, Walt Disney World had previously announced the closure of the following resort locations due to the storm:
- Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Copper Creek Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
- Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
These resort locations will temporarily close at 11 am on Wednesday, October 9, with Fort Wilderness and the Treehouse Villas expected to remain closed until Sunday, October 13. The Copper Creek Cabins are anticipated to reopen on Friday, October 11.
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