STV NewsA flight from Edinburgh Airport has taken off for Florida despite an “increased risk to life” warning due to Hurricane Milton.
Virgin Atlantic passengers boarded a flight to Orlando at 11.20am due to depart at midday after it was initially set to take off on Wednesday and Thursday but was delayed due to the storm.
At least eight people are reported to have died, with emergency services in a number of counties across the state forced to suspend operations until it was safe for workers to be on the ground.
STV NewsMore than three million homes and businesses were left without power due to the storm, with Tampa and Orlando airports closed earlier this week.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advised holidaymakers of an “increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge”.
Government advice read: “Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida on the night of October 9 or morning of October 10 with tropical force winds affecting the west coast from the morning of October 9.
“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.”
The UK Government is advising passengers to monitor approaching storms on the US National Hurricane Center website, follow instructions from local authorities and check with their airline about possible disruption to flights or airport services.
A Virgin Atlantic notice to passengers confirmed operations were to resume on Friday, October 11.
Linda Hill Miller, owner and founder of LAH Travel in West Kilbride and Kilmarnock, warned customers to expect more “chaos” in the coming days.
She told STV News on Thursday: “It’s obviously really concerning what we’re seeing on the media. We have touched base with any clients that are impacted, and they’re all safe.
“This is October school holidays as well, so in many ways, it’s the worst possible time it could’ve happened.”
The travel agent added they have rearranged plans for customers due to travel to Florida this weekend, while other clients are still out at sea on cruise ships.
She added: “I know of clients on a cruise that is supposed to be arriving in to Florida and the shipping companies have made the decision to stay out at sea which is the safest place to be in a hurricane because they can sail away from the danger.
“The people who are actually in Florida, their flights have been cancelled, so they will stay in their hotels, and their flight will hopefully go 24 hours later. That’s the plan, but really, what the message is, it’s pretty chaotic.
“When flights get cancelled, airports don’t cope that well with it, so there’s going to be a few days of chaos ahead, I’m afraid.”
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