Flights between Ireland and Florida have been cancelled as the US braces itself for Hurricane Milton.
A state of emergency has been declared in Florida, while millions of people have been asked to evacuate western parts of the state, before landfall early on Thursday (Irish time).
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida by Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
Tropical force winds hitting the west coast from Wednesday morning.
The hurricane has already sustained winds of 290km/h in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this week, with US forecasters warning that this is to be one of the most dangerous storms to hit the country, despite weakening before doing so.
This is also led to the cancellation of a flight today from Dublin to Orlando, with further flights expected to be cancelled along that route. Orlando International Airport have already stated that operations will cease from 8am this morning.
An afternoon flight from Dublin to Orlando has also been cancelled, as well as several flights from the UK to Florida.
The airport have said that flights will “resume as soon as possible based on damage assessment”.
Dept of Foreign Affairs Issue Warning
The Department of Foreign Affairs have issued a travel alert, while a state of emergency was also declared in 54 of 67 of Florida’s counties, urging Irish citizens to evacuate.
They said: “There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and floods across the Florida Peninsula. Irish citizens in the area should follow any advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so”.
The Department of Foreign Affairs have asked all Irish citizens who are in Florida to: “follow any advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so”.
Mass power outages, flooding and extensive damage to property warnings have also been issued to Florida, Georgia, North Caroline, South Carolina and Tennessee, with the DFA telling citizens that travel to North Carolina in particular is “not currently recommended”.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have revealed that there has been an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge on the west coast due to Hurricane Milton.
“extremely disrupted”
Tui have said that it expects their flying programme “to be extremely disrupted”, with Melbourne Orlando International Airport closing to commercial flights at 2pm on Wednesday and reopening at 9am Friday.
UK flights have also been affected. A flight to Melbourne Orlando from Gatwick Airport on Wednesday was also cancelled.
The company added that it was “contacting customers directly to discuss their options”.
A state of emergency has been declared in Florida. Numerous flights were also cancelled by Virgin Atlantic, due to “adverse weather conditions expected to be caused by Hurricane Milton”.
“The safety and comfort of our customers and crew is our top priority and we are contacting any Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holiday customers who may be impacted by the hurricane to discuss their options”, they said.
Two further flights were cancelled on Tuesday between London Heathrow and Tampa, as well as nine on Wednesday including flights between Manchester and Orlando. Ten flights were also axed on Thursday, involving Heathrow, Manchester, Orlando and Tampa.
Flights from Edinburgh to Orland also faced delays by 23 hours.
“impending arrival”
Aer Lingus have also told passengers who had planned to travel to the Orlando region over the next few days that they can rebook travel on another route within seven days due to the “impending arrival of Hurricane Milton and potential travel disruption”.
Large parts of Florida are to be impacted by heavy rainfall and high winds,
They also said that citizens who are travelling should consult the US National Hurricane Centre website, and adhere to instructions from local authorities. They also added that travellers should check with the airline of travel agent about possible disruption to flights.
“We are closely monitoring the development of Hurricane Milton towards the United States” an FCDO spokesperson said. “We urge all British nationals in Florida or travelling to the region to follow travel advice and guidance from local authorities”.
