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A billboard at Tampa International Airport shows all departing American Airlines flights canceled Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Fla., due to the possible arrival of Hurricane Milton.
Chris O’Meara | P.A.
Airlines canceled hundreds of flights, theme parks prepared to close and cruise lines changed their itineraries as Floridians prepared for the arrival of Hurricane Milton.
The Category 4 storm has sustained winds of nearly 145 mph and is expected to hit the west coast of Florida on Wednesday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. More than 50 counties in Florida are under a state of emergency.
Tampa International Airport suspended operations at 9 a.m. ET Tuesday and said it would “resume operations when it is safe to do so.”
Orlando International Airport will close at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Southwest Airlineswhich has about a fifth of the market share in Orlando, had 402 flights on its total Wednesday schedule, according to FlightAware data.
More than 750 Orlando flights, or more than 85% of Wednesday’s schedule, were canceled, according to FlightAware. Most flights to and from Tampa and Southwest Florida International Airport, which serves Fort Myers, were also canceled Wednesday.
Carriers have waived change fees and fare differences for affected customers. American airlines And United Airlines added additional flights from Florida ahead of Milton’s scheduled arrival.
Southwest Airlines employees cover ticket counters with plastic wrap just before Tampa International Airport closes due to the possible arrival of Hurricane Milton Tuesday, October 8, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.
Chris O’Meara | P.A.
Disney said Tuesday that it would close its Orlando-area theme parks on Wednesday starting at 1 p.m. ET and that they would likely remain closed on Thursday.
“We will plan to open Disney Springs late Thursday afternoon, with limited offerings,” the company said.
Universal Orlando Resort said Tuesday that Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will close at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday.
Busch Gardens Tampa will be closed Tuesday through Thursday, while SeaWorld Orlando will close Wednesday and Thursday, United Parks said.
Carnival warned customers that the ports of Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami would likely close and that some routes and destinations would be changed to avoid the storm.
Disclosure: Comcast owns NBCUniversal, the parent company of Universal Studios and CNBC.