((Automated translation by Reuters, please see disclaimer https://bit.ly/rtrsauto)) by Shivansh Tiwary and Abhinav Parmar
Airlines, energy companies and a Universal Studios theme park are among the companies that have begun halting operations in Florida, preparing for disruptions from Hurricane Milton expected to make landfall Wednesday .
The hurricane quickly intensified into one of the strongest on record in the region, threatening a portion of Florida’s densely populated west coast that is still reeling from the devastating Hurricane Helene ago less than two weeks old.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 1,311 flights into, entering or leaving the United States were delayed and 701 were canceled, and that number is expected to rise, according to flight tracking data provider FlightAware.
Southwest, one of the largest U.S. airlines, said it was adjusting schedules at several airports that were halting operations, including Tampa International Airport and Orlando International Airport.
Orlando International Airport, one of the busiest in the United States, said it would cease operations at 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday, according to a notice on its website. Tampa International Airport said it was closed Tuesday.
United Airlines
UAL.O
, JetBlue Airways
JBLU.O
et Air Canada
AC.TO have increased their capacity to allow passengers to leave Florida.
Hurricane Milton is expected to gain strength on Tuesday as it approaches the Gulf Coast, where more than a million people have been ordered to evacuate.
President JoeBiden postponed his planned Oct. 10-15 trip to Germany and Angola to oversee preparations for and response to the storm, the White House said Tuesday.
A growing number of gasoline retailers were displaying empty signs Tuesday as residents began panic buying. Motorists waited to refuel in queues that snaked around gas stations, only to discover that some of them were out of fuel, according to local media and social media posts.
Retailer Target TGT.N said it was temporarily closing or changing hours at its stores in the storm’s path. Department store Kohls KSS.N said it was temporarily closing some stores in the region.
Energy companies began shutting down their pipelines and fuel delivery terminals in Tampa on Tuesday. Pipeline operator Kinder Morgan KMI.N said it has shut down its Central Florida Pipeline system, two small lines that transport gasoline, diesel and other fuels from Tampa to Orlando.
Universal Studios in Orlando also planned to close in anticipation of Milton’s arrival, it was reported Tuesday, while cruise operators Royal Caribbean RCL.N and Carnival CCL.N said they were changing some schedules.
Milton is expected to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane until it makes landfall in Florida, causing catastrophic damage and power outages expected to last several days.
