Hurricane Milton Will Hit Walt Disney World and Central Florida as Category 1 or 2 – Hurricane Watch Coming. Preparations should be underway, if not, then now is the time. We are not doom and gloom or click-baiting you, but it is time to take action and ensure you and your family are safe and sound. As of 5 Am EST on October 7th, 2024, the National Weather Service has issued Hurricane Watches for the western suburbs of Walt Disney World and Universal. Our location is in this zone and we are only 6.8 miles from the heart of the Disney Resorts here in central Florida.
Before anything, please understand we are NOT an official source of weather. Please go to your trusted source of weather information, the Flordia Gov Website, or the National Weather Service. If you are not a local to Florida and are visiting on vacation, here is a direct link to the Orange County, Florida Weather and Forecast from the National Weather Service. We also follow Mike’s Weather Page on Instagram. We are here to bring the information to people who are either here at Disney World and reading Disney-related news and information, or those who may be headed here.
Walt Disney World has released a statement, and Universal has also – Both are operating under normal conditions as of now. Walt Disney World Resort has suspended new resort reservations from October 8th to 10th 2024, and no theme park reservations may be made for October 9th.
Monitoring Tropical Storm Milton – Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions. We are closely monitoring the path of the projected storm as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members.
Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World, are some of the safest places to be during major weather events. Activities to keep people calm, backup generators to keep power, and great infrastructure keep guests safe. In fact, people normally book rooms at both resorts during a hurricane for those reasons.
Updated at 3:00 PM EST – We are hearing rumblings from sources saying Walt Disney World and Universal are considering Closing the Parks on Wednesday, Oct 9th, 2024. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is also being discussed for Tuesday Night October 8th, 2024. There is NO Official word, but when we hear about it we will update you.
MCO Orlando Airport has announced it will be closing on 10/9/2024 Here is the official statement: Together with our partners, a decision has been made to cease commercial operations on Wednesday morning, 10/09, until circumstances permit safe operations to resume. We will continue to monitor Hurricane Milton to determine the potential impact at MCO. We ask you to please continue to work with your airline directly in regard to your specific flight and follow our Facebook or X accounts for detailed operational updates. Click the link in today’s story for more information.
Tampa Intrernational is closing on Tuesday according to there site. Tampa International Airport will suspend operations early Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Milton. TPA plans to resume services as soon as it is safe to do so later this week, but passengers should check with their airlines regarding flight schedules
Legoland Florida has officially closed ahead of Hurricane Milton for October 9th and 10th, 2024.
Updated at 1:00 PM EST – Walt Disney World and Universal Resorts are now under a Hurricane Watch!
Hurricane Watch
Milton Local Watch/Warning Statement/Advisory Number 10
National Weather Service Melbourne FL AL142024
1058 AM EDT Mon Oct 7 2024
FLZ045-072300-
/O.NEW.KMLB.HU.A.1014.241007T1458Z-000000T0000Z/
Orange-
1058 AM EDT Mon Oct 7 2024
...HURRICANE WATCH IN EFFECT...
A Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere
within this area within the next 48 hours
* WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Cat 1 Hurricane force wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 60-80 mph with gusts to 95 mph
- Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Wednesday afternoon
until Thursday morning
- Window for Hurricane force winds: Wednesday evening until
early Thursday morning
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 74
to 110 mph
- PLAN: Plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or
2 hurricane force.
- PREPARE: Efforts to protect life and property should now be
rigorously underway. Prepare for considerable wind damage.
- ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind
becomes hazardous.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive
- Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some
having window, door, and garage door failures leading to
structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some
destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles.
Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks.
- Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within
urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways,
and access routes impassable.
- Large areas with power and communications outages.
* FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 4-8 inches, with locally
higher amounts
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for major
flooding rain
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are
likely.
- PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially
if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take
action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches
may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas, destructive
runoff may run quickly down valleys while increasing
susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control
systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or
washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover
escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of
moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions
become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some
weakened or washed out.
* TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few
tornadoes
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a
few tornadoes.
- PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to
tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before
hazardous weather arrives.
- ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter
quickly.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the
execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with
power and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings,
chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or
overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off,
shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown
off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.
$$
Updated at 8:55 AM EST October 7th, 2024: From Osceola County, which Walt Disney World is part – We encourage those living in Osceola County that reside in flood zones, low-lying zones, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, or those with special needs and medical needs, to consider evacuating to one of these shelters in a timely manner ahead of the storm. Please see below for Addresses and Phone Numbers
A Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours. So Disney and Central Florida will go under a watch early this afternoon. Then depending on the path of Hurricane Milton a Hurricane Warning will go out when the path is more fully known. A Watch means to keep an eye out, a warning means imminent threat.
The hurricane is expected to make landfall on the western side of Florida, somewhere on the West Central area of the Gulf Coast, and then drive across the state on I4, making Walt Disney World and Universal direct hits. The timeline right now looks to be Wednesday, October 9th into Thursday, October 10th, 2024.
We will keep updating this article all day today when we have more information.
WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Cat 1 Hurricane force wind
- Peak Wind Forecast: 60-80 mph with gusts to 100 mph
- Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Wednesday afternoon
until early Thursday morning
- Window for Hurricane force winds: Wednesday afternoon until
early Thursday morning
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 74
to 110 mph
- PLAN: Plan for life-threatening wind of equivalent CAT 1 or
2 hurricane force.
- PREPARE: Efforts to protect life and property should now be
rigorously underway. Prepare for considerable wind damage.
- ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind
becomes hazardous.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive
- Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some
having window, door, and garage door failures leading to
structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some
destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles.
Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks.
- Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within
urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways,
and access routes impassable.
- Large areas with power and communications outages.
* FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flood Watch is in effect
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 3-6 inches, with locally
higher amounts
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for major
flooding rain
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for
major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are
likely.
- PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially
if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take
action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches
may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and
barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or
washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover
escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of
moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions
become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some
weakened or washed out.
* TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST
UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few
tornadoes
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a
few tornadoes.
- PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to
tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before
hazardous weather arrives.
- ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter
quickly.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the
execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with
power and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings,
chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or
overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off,
shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown
off roads, and boats pulled from moorings.
* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- https://www.weather.gov/tbw
OSCEOLA COUNTY GENERAL POPULATION SHELTERS
WILL OPEN ON TUESDAY, 08 OCTOBER 2024, AT 5 PM
Celebration High School – 1809 Celebration Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34747
Gateway High School (Pet-Friendly) – 93 Panther Paws Trail, Kissimmee, FL 34744
Harmony High School (Pet-Friendly) – 3601 Arthur J. Gallagher Blvd., St. Cloud, FL 34771
Holopaw Community Center – 8801 Community Center Rd., St. Cloud, FL 34773
Kenansville Community Center – 1178 S Canoe Creek Rd., Kenansville, FL 34739
Kissimmee Middle School (Pet-Friendly) – 2410 Dyer Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34741
Liberty High School (Pet-Friendly) – 4250 Pleasant Hill Rd., Kissimmee, FL 34746
OSCEOLA COUNTY SPECIAL NEEDS, INCLUDING MEDICAL, SHELTERS
WILL OPEN ON TUESDAY, 08 OCTOBER 2024, AT 12 PM
Osceola Council on Aging, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee, FL 34744
OSCEOLA COUNTY SANDBAGS
Osceola Heritage Park – 1211 Shakerag Road, Kissimmee FL 34747. Bring your own shovel. Twenty-five (25) bags per household. Available 06-07 October 2024, from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Celebration Athletic and Recreation Complex – 305 Campus Street, Kissimmee FL 34747. Twenty-five (25) bags per household. Available from today until supplies run out. They have approximately 2,000 sandbags available.
Please follow the directions provided by local governmental agencies regarding evacuation versus sheltering in place.
Emergency number to be called for fire, ambulance, and law enforcement: 911
Please be aware that during the peak of the storm, local emergency responders will not be available due to their own safety considerations. As such, you must be prepared to care for yourself and others during that peak time.
Non-emergency number for Lake County Sheriff: 352-742-4761
Non-emergency number for Osceola County Sheriff: 407-348-2222
Non-emergency number for Orange County Sheriff: 407-836-4357
Non-emergency number for Polk County Sheriff: 863-298-6200
