WeatherHurricane

Actions

Florida's airports, attractions reopen following Hurricane Milton

Airports in Tampa, Orlando and Fort Myers are set to reopen on Friday.
Hurricane Milton Weather
Posted
and last updated

While over 2 million customers remain without power, some Florida attractions and airports reopened on Friday following Hurricane Milton.

Tampa International Airport reopened Friday at 8 a.m. The airport reopened after canceling over 1,000 flights over the last three days, according to Flight Aware. The airport has canceled 26% of its scheduled departures on Friday as operations slowly resume.

Orlando International Airport is also slowly returning to normal after allowing some arrivals late Thursday. The airport resumed departures on Friday. Even with being reopen, 22% of flights departing Orlando on Friday have been canceled.

RELATED STORY | 'Very lucky to be alive': Florida homeowners survey damage from Hurricane Milton

Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers resumed operations on Friday after canceling nearly 200 flights on Thursday. Like Tampa and Orlando, about one in five flights leaving Southwest Florida International have been canceled on Friday.

Although the major airports in Tampa and Orlando resumed operations on Friday, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport said the airport will remain closed through at least Wednesday of next week as officials continue assessing the damage there. The airport handles over 100 commercial flights per day.

Some major attractions also reopened on Friday as well. Disney said that Walt Disney World, Disney Springs and other areas have reopened. Universal Orlando said that it resumed normal operations on Friday. SeaWorld Orlando also reopened on Friday.

RELATED STORY | Dozens rescued following tornadoes that spawned from Hurricane Milton

In Tampa, which is closer to where Hurricane Milton made landfall, Busch Gardens remained closed on Friday.

Although in some parts of Florida, life is returning to normal, crews are still assessing the damage and picking up debris. Officials have warned residents to avoid downed power lines as crews work to restore service.

In addition to damage from Hurricane Milton's wind, rain and storm surge, it spawned dozens of tornadoes throughout the state.

WPTV First Alert Weather Spotters Sponsored By: Manatee Lagoon

About WPTV NewsChannel 5

Join WPTV First Alert Weather Spotters team

Jonathan Diego

Hurricane

Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne: 20 Years Later

JAMES_SURF_FORECAST_webgraphic.png

Surfing Blog

Surf Forecast: Some swell in the forecast

James Wieland

2024 STORM NAMES

Alberto

Beryl

Chris

Debby

Ernesto

Francine

Gordon

Helene

Isaac

Joyce

Kirk

Leslie

Milton

Nadine

Oscar

Patty

Rafael

Sara

Tony

Valerie

William

TERMS TO KNOW

TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.