Florida airports close as Hurricane Milton nears
Airports say they will have to assess storm damage to determine when to resume operations
Hurricane Milton is going to be 'catastrophic for my district,' Rep. Greg Steube says
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., discusses how his district is preparing for Hurricane Milton, Rep. James Comer calling for a review of FEMA, the federal government's response to hurricane season and the use of FEMA funds for illegal migrants.
Several major Florida airports are temporarily closing as the state prepares for another hurricane to make landfall, further impacting the already-battered region.
Hurricane Milton, currently a Category 4 storm, is forecast to make landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast in the early morning hours of Thursday, bringing with it a risk of catastrophic and life-threatening flash and urban flooding. It comes after the state was hit by Hurricane Helene in late September, which brought devastating flooding and a storm surge to the Southeast, killing at least 232 people across six states.
On Wednesday, Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers posted on X that it's shuttering operations through Thursday.
CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE MILTON BEARS DOWN ON FLORIDA
"Airlines, car rental agencies and parking facilities are not operating," the airport posted on the social media platform.
While it plans to resume operations on Friday, the airport said its decision to do so "will depend on damage assessments and staffing, as many RSW employees will have storm impacts."
The Tampa International Airport suspended operations at 9 a.m. Tuesday in preparation for Hurricane Milton.
The airport posted on X that the goal is to reopen the airport as soon as possible following a damage assessment after Hurricane Milton passes.
HURRICANE HELENE CAUSED BETWEEN $8B AND $14B IN PRIVATE INSURED LOSSES: MOODY'S
The Orlando International Airport also posted on Wednesday morning that it "ceased commercial operations" ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall.
The airport said it will resume its operations as soon as it is safe and based on its damage assessments.
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport in Sarasota also posted on X that operations will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.
FLORIDA CFO SAYS HURRICANE MILTON'S FINANCIAL TOLL COULD REACH $20 BILLION
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Clearwater closed down operations Tuesday after the last flight out. The airport posted on X that it will remain closed through Thursday.
"The airport is in a mandatory evacuation zone and is not a public shelter. Prepare and stay safe," the airport wrote.