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Foreign Office issues 'life-threatening' warning to UK tourists travelling to USA
by Liv Clarke · Manchester Evening NewsUK holidaymakers in the USA have been warned of “life-threatening” weather conditions as Hurricane Milton closes in Florida. The UK Foreign Office has issued an official warning as the storm is expected to make landfall as soon as October 9.
Evacuation orders have been issued across the Tampa Bay region as scientists predict storm surges of up to 12 feet in the area. The storm has made its way across the Gulf of Mexico, and although it has been weakened from a Category 5 storm to a Category 4 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center warned that it still posed an “extremely serious threat”.
The UK Foreign Office, Development and Commonwealth Office has warned British travellers in the region to closely monitor updates and follow any instructions, including evacuation orders. In an update on its travel page for the USA release on Tuesday morning, the FCO said: “Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida on the night of 9 October or morning of 10 October with tropical force winds affecting the west coast from the morning of 9 October.
READ MORE: TUI cancels flights to Florida from UK ahead of Hurricane Milton
“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and high winds on the west coast and heavy rainfall and high winds are expected to impact large parts of Florida.”
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The FCO advised travellers to:
- monitor approaching storms on the US National Hurricane Center website
- follow instructions from local authorities, including evacuation orders
- visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website for information on preparing for extreme weather and evacuating
- check with your airline or travel agent about possible disruption to flights or airport services and follow their advice
Melbourne Orlando International Airport has announced that it will close to commercial flights from Wednesday through to Friday morning. Tui has been forced to cancel flights from the UK to Florida in the coming days due to the storm.
The White House has also issued guidance to residents on Florida’s west coast, which includes following advice from state officials, making sure vehicles have sufficient fuel and not to walk, swim or drive through flood waters.