The Category Three Hurricane Milton has caused devastation in Florida after making landfall this morning. Dubbed the “storm of the century,” thousands of evacuations have been prompted in the Tampa Bay area. Milton struck near Siesta Key, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 120mph as reported by the US National Hurricane Centre. A deadly storm surge and the potential for extreme flooding have been warned. Over two million residents in its path have been issued the highest level of flood warning, leading to disruptions in travel plans for UK tourists, including flight cancellations.
Airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and TUI have cancelled flights from the UK to Florida, and commercial services at several Florida airports like Orlando International, Melbourne Orlando International, and Tampa International have been suspended. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised British nationals in the area to monitor the storm’s progress through the US National Hurricane Centre website and to follow local authority guidance, including evacuation orders.
While remnants of Hurricane Milton could potentially impact UK weather next week if they reach the Atlantic, the Met Office has stated it is highly unlikely to reach the UK. Forecasters have described Milton as a dangerous and destructive hurricane with powerful sustained winds and significant storm surges hitting coastal areas. As Milton moves over the open Atlantic, it is expected to weaken into a tropical storm and eventually transition into an extratropical storm after passing south of Bermuda.
The Met Office predicts that Milton’s remnants will either be absorbed into a frontal zone or dissipate in situ in the subtropical Atlantic. The UK is closely monitoring the storm’s development and has urged British nationals in Florida or traveling to the region to follow travel advice and guidance from local authorities. While the impacts of Hurricane Milton are far-reaching and severe, the likelihood of direct impacts on the UK remains slim according to meteorological experts.