Major Hurricane Milton has exploded into a Category 4 storm, and with the dangerous storm forecast to track close to Orlando, a decision has been made to cease commercial operations at MCO ahead of the incoming storm.
On Wednesday morning, October 9, Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) will cease commercial passenger and private operations in advance of Hurricane Milton, a move made in coordination with their partners.
The airport is not closed and will remain open to accept emergency/aid and relief flights as necessary. They will only resume commercial operations as soon as possible based on damage assessment.
Important reminders for passengers:
Monitor the weather closely. Please stay up to date on forecasts for your area and any regions to which you may be traveling to or from.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), which manages and operates both MCO and ORL, continues to stress safety. Passengers are encouraged to check with their airlines for flight updates.
GOAA wants to alert the public that MCO is not an authorized shelter. The airport cannot accommodate local residents during severe weather events. We will continue to monitor the storm and provide additional updates as needed.
For more info: https://www.orlandoairports.net/.
Hurricane Milton strengthened into a Category 2 Hurricane overnight and has exploded into a dangerous Category 5 Hurricane today, Monday, Oct. 7.
A Hurricane WATCH is now in effect for Greater Orlando and all of our inland east central Florida counties. Milton continues to intensify and is now a category 5 storm. Impacts will begin on Wednesday, and preparations should be completed tomorrow night.
There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Storm Surge and Hurricane Watches are now in effect for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula and residents in that area should follow any advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so.
Areas of heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida today well ahead of Milton, with heavy rainfall more directly related to the system expected later on Tuesday through Wednesday night. This rainfall will bring the risk of considerable flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with the potential for moderate to major river flooding.
We urge you to stay informed and stay safe as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida.
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Yesterday, Sunday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials held a news conference on Sunday morning and said evacuations are likely, and time is running out to prepare for the eventual hurricane’s potentially deadly impacts.
Residents and visitors are being urged to plan now and prepare for the possible impacts from the storm. Residents should be taking this time to check emergency kits and family plans.
Yesterday, Saturday, Gov. DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 35 of Florida's 67 counties, now today at a press conference Gov. DeSantis has increased this to 51 counties ahead of the major storms arrival.
The following counties are now under a state of emergency ahead of Milton:
Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union, and Volusia counties.
Gov. DeSantis assured the public that state officials closely monitoring are Tropical Storm Milton, which has the potential to become a devastating hurricane.and is urging residents and visitors to prepare.
He commented, "Current estimates forecast landfall sometime Wednesday afternoon—there is still time to prepare your homes, organize your disaster plan, and implement plans to keep yourself and your family safe."
"I urge Floridians to finalize your storm preparations now; enact your plan," Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said. "I highly encourage you to evacuate. We are preparing, and I have the State Emergency Response Team preparing, for the largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma."
The state is also mobilizing state assets to supplement local governments in an unprecedented debris removal mission for areas that suffered damage from Hurricane Helene and are currently in the projected path of Milton.
Local debris sites are open 24/7, and there is hundreds of personnel on the ground assisting in removal.
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