TUI issues update to UK tourists as Hurricane Milton closes in on Florida

A major travel company has issued an update to UK tourists affected by Hurricane Milton.

The Category 5 storm is making its way across the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to hit the US within days. The hurricane threatens a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay in Florida less than two weeks after the catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline.

Milton had maximum sustained winds of 160mph over the southern Gulf of Mexico, the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami said. The storm could hit the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday (October 9) and may remain a hurricane as it moves across central Florida.

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TUI has today (October 7) issued an update for customers due to travel to Florida and those who are already there. It comes as two airports in the area announced that they would halt airline and cargo flights from Tuesday (October 8) ahead of the hurricane hitting.

TUI said: "We’re closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Milton as it makes its way across the Gulf of Mexico, west of Florida. Tropical storms and hurricanes are not uncommon in the area and our hotels and resort teams are experienced in preparing for them.

"For customers currently in Florida: If you’re in destination already, for your safety and wellbeing please follow any instructions given by your hotel management and resort teams. If you need any additional support, you can contact us via the TUI app, our TUI Guest Experience Centre on +44 2038303111 or speak to your local representative.

"For customers due to travel to Florida: If you’re due to travel to Florida over the new few days, all flights are currently operating on schedule. Please be assured if anything should change, we’ll be in touch with you directly."

Hurricane Milton’s centre was about 150 miles (240km) west of Progreso, Mexico, and about 735 miles (1,185km) southwest of Tampa on Monday morning (October 7), moving east-southeast at 8mph (13kph), according to the hurricane centre.