Are you ready for Hurricane Milton? Here’s a guide on what’s coming and what’s changing

Hurricane Milton has Florida’s attention.

Even in South Florida, we are seeing flight delays, school closings and sandbag giveaways as the region is under a flood alert.

Here’s your guide to what’s happening as Hurricane Milton approaches the state:

Schools

Classes have been canceled in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County counties ahead of Hurricane Milton.

▪ MORE ON WHEN SCHOOLS WILL CLOSE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Colleges, events and court closings

Several Florida college campuses and courtrooms are closing. And special events in Miami and Miami Beach have been canceled.

MORE ON CLOSINGS AND CANCELLATIONS IN MIAMI AND ACROSS FLORIDA

Roads

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has lifted tolls on some state highways and roads, including Alligator Alley, to quicken evacuation from the Gulf Coast.

MORE ON WHERE HIGHWAY TOLLS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED IN FLORIDA

Power

Your lights and internet may go out. And it may take longer to restore.

MORE ON HOW TO MONITOR AND GET SERVICE RESTORED

Local weather

South Florida is getting wet and weather forecasters also have placed the region under a flood watch. That’s from a front that’s not directly related to Hurricane Milton. And there’s more to come once Milton enters the picture.

▪ MORE ON SOUTH FLORIDA WEATHER IMPACTS

Sandbags

Anticipating flooding, South Florida governments are distributing free sandbags.

▪ MORE ON WHERE YOU CAN FIND FREE SANDBAGS IN MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD

Airports

Tampa International Airport shut down on Tuesday morning for an undetermined amount of time as Milton approaches and makes landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Airports in Orlando and West Palm Beach are closing Wednesday. While it’s unlikely South Florida airports in Miami and Fort Lauderdale will close, some flights may be delayed or canceled.

▪ MORE ON HOW TO TRACK YOUR FLIGHT

▪ WHICH AIRPORTS AIRPORTS ARE OPEN OR CLOSED

Cruises

Miami-based Royal Caribbean cruise line is detouring their ships and substituting ports of calls. Doral-based Carinival is monitoring the weather and may make changes.

▪ MORE ON THE SWITCHED ITINERARIES OF CRUISE SHIPS

This story was originally published October 7, 2024 at 4:11 PM.