Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified Monday morning, growing from a Category 4 to a dangerous Category 5 (worst) hurricane with winds of around 160 mph as it targeted the Gulf Coast of Florida, which is still recovering from Hurricane Helene which hit a little over a week ago.
Millions face the prospect of evacuation as Milton gains momentum on its path and heads (again) toward the Tampa Bay area, where it is expected to make landfall Wednesday evening. If it stays on its current path, Milton could be the worst storm to hit the Tampa area in more than 100 years.
On October 9, Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) announced they would cease commercial and private operations in anticipation of Hurricane Milton, the second hurricane to hit the West Florida in less than two weeks.
The airport will remain open to accept emergency/aid and rescue flights if necessary. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), which manages and operates both MCO and ENT, continues to emphasize safety. Passengers are encouraged to check with their airlines for flight updates.
