Hurricane warning to British travellers heading to Florida (original) (raw)

UK holidaymakers in the USA are being alerted to "life-threatening" weather conditions as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida. The UK Foreign Office has cautioned travellers that the storm is set to hit as early as October 9.

Evacuation directives have swept through the Tampa Bay area as experts forecast storm surges reaching heights of up to 12 feet. Traversing the Gulf of Mexico, Milton has downgraded from a Category five to a Category four hurricane, but the National Hurricane Center maintains it is still an "extremely serious threat".

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is urging British nationals in the vicinity to stay vigilant and adhere to any guidance provided, including evacuations. In an update on its travel advice page for the USA, it : "Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida on the night of October 9 or morning of October 10 with tropical force winds affecting the west coast from the morning of October 9." For the latest analysis of the biggest stories, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

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It adds: "There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and high winds on the west coast and heavy rainfall and high winds are expected to impact large parts of Florida."

The FCDO recommends travellers to keep track of impending storms via the US National Hurricane Center website, heed the instructions issued by local authorities, which include evacuation orders, and check with their airline or travel agent about possible disruption to flights or airport services and follow their advice, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Melbourne Orlando International Airport has announced that it will close to commercial flights from Wednesday through to Friday morning. Tui has been forced to cancel flights from the UK to Florida in the coming days due to the storm. The White House has also issued guidance to residents on Florida's west coast, which includes following advice from state officials, making sure vehicles have sufficient fuel and not to walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news.

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