SUMMARY: Hurricane Milton severely impacted Florida, leaving over 3 million residents without power. Hillsborough County officials reported extensive damage, including downed trees and power lines. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor emphasized the dangers of flooding, despite the city avoiding a predicted storm surge. Police conducted rescue operations, successfully evacuating 15 people, including children, from a home struck by a falling tree. St. Lucie County confirmed four fatalities due to tornadoes linked to the storm. As Hurricane Milton progressed, it continued to cause destruction as it moved eastward across the state, prompting ongoing emergency responses.

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SUMMARY: Florida’s Gulf Coast health care facilities are gearing up for Hurricane Milton, anticipated to be one of the strongest storms in years, making landfall near Tampa. Following mandatory evacuations, long-term care facilities are relocating patients. A record 300 health facilities have evacuated, with hospitals prepared to remain operational, stocking supplies and utilizing emergency protocols. Tampa General Hospital has implemented flood defenses, while Sarasota Memorial plans to shelter 4,000 individuals. Health officials emphasize preparedness, recognizing the storm’s potential to disrupt already strained systems, especially for vulnerable populations reliant on at-home care and dialysis services amidst the evacuation crisis.

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SUMMARY: Orlando’s tourism is facing disruptions as Hurricane Milton approaches, prompting major theme parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld to announce closures. These parks will shut down on Wednesday, with Universal also canceling Halloween Horror Nights. Additionally, Orlando International Airport will cease operations Wednesday morning. Visitors, such as the Downs family from Arkansas, are reconsidering their trips amidst the impending storm. While Disney parks rarely close, their hotels often serve as safe havens for those evacuating from coastal areas. Previous hurricanes have shown that parks quickly work to restore normal operations after storms pass.

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