Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to strengthen into a hurricane once it makes landfall in Florida, forcing the state to shut down all operations in its airports and attractions.
Theme parks in Florida have closed, while about 2,000 flights have been canceled due to airports halting operations as Tropical Storm Nicole approaches, CNN Travel reports.
All Commercial Operations Have Been Stopped Due to The Tropical Storm
Due to the risks that come with flying in inclement weather, a number of airports have decided to halt commercial operations even before Tropical Storm Nicole hits Florida.
The Orlando International Airport (MCO) took to Twitter to announce that it had already started tying down jets, covering equipment, and communicating with emergency management officials.
The Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) and the Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) also announced their closures on Wednesday.
Additionally, all flights at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) and the Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) have also been canceled.
Meanwhile, Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL), and North Perry General Aviation Airport (HWO) remain open but warn passengers of possible cancellations and delays.
Furthermore, American, Delta, Southwest, and United Airlines have also issued travel waivers for impacted passengers so that they can rebook flights at a later date free of charge.
Southwest Airlines also trimmed operations at a number of airports with their services in Florida but hopes to resume operations once the weather permits.
CNN Travel says that the data from the flight tracking site Flyware revealed that carriers in the United States have canceled around 1,900 flights as a response to Tropical Storm Nicole.
Additionally, operations at the Walt Disney World in Orlando will also be closing, and this follows the shutdown of the Universal Orlando Resort, which made similar operational decisions.
Some Florida Counties Are Already Under Evacuation Orders
Since the government is expecting that Tropical Storm Nicole will grow stronger once it enters the perimeters of Florida, residents have already been warned of likely flooding ahead.
With this, four counties in Florida have already been put under mandatory evacuation orders, specifically in certain zones of Nassau, Palm beach, Flagler, and Volusia.
Some zones in with other counties are also ordered voluntary or recommended evacuations as per the state's Division of Emergency Management, Gizmodo reports.
Tropical Storm Nicole is now over the Great Abaco Island in The Bahamas, with sustained winds going at 70 mph.
Storm forecasts claim that it will continue to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane before making it to Florida's east coast.
Once in the state, Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to weaken as it moves across the southern states and is likely to become a post-tropical cyclone by Friday.
Despite this, officials continue to warn Floridians and those from nearby states of possible storm surges that can go up from three to five feet, according to Gizmodo.
