Following consecutive hurricanes, this is the present state of affairs for both locals and tourists in Florida, including which regions are still recovering and which are accessible to tourists.
It was difficult to foresee the devastating impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton on much of Florida's Gulf Coast over the course of a recent two-week period when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast an above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season earlier this year.
Hurricane Helene, one of the deadliest hurricanes to hit the United States in the last 50 years, made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on September 26 as a Category 4 storm before wreaking havoc on northern states, most notably western North Carolina.
Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 hurricane that is expected to be one of the most expensive storms in history, struck the Sarasota region, which is located just south of Tampa Bay, less than two weeks later on October 9.
The human cost of the storms—from lost livelihoods and lives to flooded houses, displaced families, and children missing school for days on end in many places—cannot be measured, even if insured losses are already well into the billions of dollars.
Hurricane Helene passed north of Tampa Bay, about 100 miles offshore from the metropolitan area, but caused widespread flooding in St. Petersburg and Tampa businesses and homes, as well as in tourist-friendly barrier island beach communities, before making landfall in Perry, Florida, where residents were still recovering from Hurricane Idalia in 2023.
As those communities continued to cut drywall from their flooded homes and pile debris on curbs, Hurricane Milton struck the Tampa Bay area directly, resulting in mass evacuations, traffic jams, and gas shortages before making landfall to the south on Siesta Key, close to Sarasota, and continuing its raging through the state.
At least 24 verified deaths have been reported in Milton's wake as a result of deadly tornadoes that were created by that storm and hit locations like Palm Beach County and St. Lucie County on Florida's east coast.
One week after the hurricane (and a few days after coming home), I sit in my amazingly intact townhouse in a South Tampa Zone A evacuation and flood zone.
Generally speaking, there are no longer any lineups at gas stations, and supermarkets are reasonably supplied once more. Although I consider myself fortunate to be so fortunate, I can see the terrible effects of the storms everywhere I look. Waterlogged couches, mattresses, desks, and children's toys still lay piled outside homes that flooded during Helene, now adorned with another layer of the ubiquitous landscaping and tree debris from Milton's punishing winds. Electrical fires destroyed houses on the blocks parallel to mine (one in every hurricane). One block may appear quite normal, save for a few fallen limbs, while surrounding havoc has reigned. It seems like a metaphor for this entire section of Florida's Gulf Coast at the moment.
Considering the intricacy and intensity.
Are all airports and flights in Florida currently up and running?
Major airports in Florida promptly reopened after Hurricane Helene. By Friday, October 11, commercial passenger operations had resumed at Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Orlando International Airport (MCO) throughout the state, following hundreds of flight cancellations prior to Milton's Wednesday landfall and Thursday push east. On October 11, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers also reopened.
On Monday, October 14, Tampa's airport resumed its full schedule of around 500 flights into and out of Tampa Bay.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) had to repair the roof of a terminal after Hurricane Milton damaged it; the airport didn't reopen until Wednesday, October 16, one week after Milton hit land.
What effects did this have on Florida's theme parks, such as Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World?
By Wednesday afternoon, October 9, all of Florida's main amusement parks within Hurricane Milton's path, from Tampa to Orlando, had shut down and suspended operations in order to safeguard both visitors and park staff.
The theme parks at SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando, and Disney World had all reopened by Friday, October 11. The Adventure Island water park is still down, but Busch Gardens Tampa Bay reopened on Sunday, October 13.
On Friday, October 11, Legoland Florida Water Park, Legoland Florida Resort, and Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida reopened.
No significant storm-related damage has been recorded by the parks.
Are there any locations that tourists should stay away from?
Charlotte, Sarasota, Hernando, and Suwannee counties are the places that are still recovering and anticipate welcoming back tourists in one to four weeks, according to a survey we conducted earlier this week with our destination partners. Dixie and Manatee Counties are among the destinations looking forward to welcoming tourists again in five to eight weeks, according to a statement issued this week by Visit Florida.
Mom-and-pop inns and historic estates in places like Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island, as well as iconic hotels along the Gulf Coast like the Don CeSar in St. Pete Beach, are still closed. On the latter, the iconic Rod and Reel Pier—which has been a part of the island since 1947—was nearly completely wiped away by Milton after being damaged during Helene.
Even in severely affected areas like Pinellas County, Sarasota County, Hillsborough County, and Manatee County, inland locations and attractions, such as Emerson Point and Robinson Preserves, have reopened as coastal areas recover.
Fortunately, we didn't witness as much storm surge with Milton as we did with Helene. "But Milton brought a lot of rain and strong wind, which created a second wave of impact around the destination," a Visit St. Pete–Clearwater spokeswoman told Afar, adding that the town is making a lot of effort to welcome guests back and that tourism is the area's main source of income.
"There is no doubt that people have seen pictures and videos of the effects of the hurricanes in the news, but these are not representative of the entire destination," the spokeswoman stated. "We have many amazing experiences open and ready to welcome visitors, even though our award-winning beaches need a little more time to fully recover."
Additionally, due to displaced people and visiting lineman trying to restore electricity, which is still out in some regions, hotels that have opened in and around affected areas are probably seeing greater occupancy rates than usual at the moment.
Which parts of Florida are accessible and safe for tourists who still wish to travel there?
From the Florida Keys in the south along the Gulf Coast to Alabama and up to the Georgia border in the northeastern regions of the state, Florida has more than 1,800 miles of golden, sugar, and powder-fine sand along its coastline.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton had little effect on the majority of Florida's beaches and shoreline, especially those near the Panhandle, the east coast, Naples and Marco Island in Southwest Florida, and the Florida Keys. Additionally spared were the majority of the state's inland areas of outstanding beauty, such as state parks, national forests, springs, rivers, and lakes.
On Monday, October 14, Visit Florida, the state's tourism bureau, began a campaign to spread the word that numerous locations throughout the state are open and accepting visitors as normal.
In an official statement released this week, Visit Florida President and CEO Dana Young stated, "Visitors can still enjoy the sunshine, beautiful beaches, and countless adventures that Florida is known for in many destinations across the state." "We urge tourists to visit these regions and make plans to go back to recuperating locations when they're prepared to receive tourists once more. We urge guests to keep themselves updated by following the news and contacting accommodations directly for any updates or closures while assessments and recovery operations continue.
Fort Lauderdale and Miami
at fact, neither hurricane made landfall at Miami or Fort Lauderdale, two well-known South Florida locations.
"We want to reassure travelers that Miami and Miami Beach remain safe and open for visitors, even though some parts of Florida are still recovering," said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & guests Bureau. "Miami's beaches, restaurants, hotels, and attractions are all set to receive visitors once more. Our local economy depends heavily on tourism, so by coming now, you're not only taking advantage of everything Miami has to offer, but you're also assisting us in our ongoing recovery.
Tampa Bay
Major attractions like the Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa in Lowry Park, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are welcoming guests, while many residential neighborhoods surrounding the Tampa Bay area are still recovering from flooding and other damage.
Santiago Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, stated, "We have a responsibility to help continue with that economy, as well as being sensitive about what all our friends are going through. We have a lot of friends up and down the west coast of Florida that are still reeling, and all of our tourism assets here in Hillsborough County are intact."
Fort Myers
As the region attempts to evaluate the damage and ascertain lodging availability, local businesses and beaches are reopening, according to Tamara Pigott, executive director of Visit Fort Myers. She advised tourists to inquire with their specific lodgings for the most up-to-date details on availability in the interim.
According to Jay Tusa of the Paradise Coast CVB, most resorts, hotels, eateries, and attractions in Naples, Marco Island, and the Everglades are open and ready to welcome visitors.
Florida Keys and Key West
Following Hurricane Milton's outer bands passing by the Florida Keys last week, Kara Franker, president and CEO of the Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Council, said that the Florida Keys and Key West are open to tourists in other parts of the state, with all of the island chain's tourism infrastructure completely intact.
"We want to inform prospective tourists that the Florida Keys & Key West, including Key West and Marathon airports, state parks, lodging, attractions, and so much more, are unaffected and open for business, keeping in mind the effects on Floridians," Franker told Afar.
According to her, Key West's Fantasy Fest is scheduled to start on October 18 and run through Sunday, October 27.
As someone who has spent more than half of my life in Florida—I currently report from Tampa—and who has recently spoken with friends from Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville to Key West, Destin, and Pensacola, I can attest that life is going on as usual in a great number of locations throughout the state, and tourists will value our warm sunshine and stunning beaches just as much as they do.
How can travelers help?
World Central Kitchen
Affected towns in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee are receiving meals from José Andrés's World Central Kitchen on the ground. Donations can be made directly on the website.
Metropolitan Ministries
Targeting affected families and individuals across the Tampa Bay area, Metropolitan Ministries is collecting donations to provide post-storm shelter, meals, water, and more for the many displaced people in the region.
The Center of Anna Maria Island
The Center of Anna Maria Island is collecting donations to support Gulf Barrier Island hospitality workers.
Feeding Tampa Bay
In order to give Hurricane Milton victims free meals, Feeding Tampa Bay is looking for volunteers and contributions.
Shuckin' Good Cause
The goal of Shuckin' Good Cause is to raise money for underprivileged hospitality workers in Manatee County.
Pinellas Community Foundation
The We Are St. Pete fund, the first of its kind in the city, was introduced by the Pinellas Community Foundation. Disaster assistance for locals, small companies, and City of St. Petersburg staff recuperating from Hurricanes Helene and Milton will be provided by the funds.
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