Britons trapped in Florida have to barricade themselves in hotel as flights home were cancelled amidst ‘catastrophic’ Hurricane Milton
A British family trapped in Florida has been forced to barricade themselves inside their hotel as Hurricane Milton approaches the sunshine state.
The party of nine from Colchester have found themselves among those stranded, with flights cancelled and Orlando International Airport closed.
Racheal Harris, 36, her husband Jamie, 34, along with their three-year-old son Maximus are preparing to weather the category-5 storm from their hotel room in Orlando.
The family, who have visited Florida six times before, were due to fly home tomorrow evening.
“We’re grounded,” Racheal told the Daily Mail, as they settle into their ground floor accommodation.
The hurricane, with wind speeds up to 165mph, is set to hit the Tampa region late Wednesday evening, causing widespread disruption to travel plans and forcing theme park closures.
The Harris family, along with their extended group, are adapting to the unexpected turn of events.
“It’s the calm before the storm,” Racheal said, describing the scene as wind begins to shake palm trees outside.
The hotel has advised guests to stay in their rooms and take precautions, such as placing towels against doors to prevent water ingress.
Despite the circumstances, Racheal and Jamie are maintaining a stoic attitude for their son’s sake.
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“I can’t panic about it, because if I panic my son panics. It’s a British thing – we just go with the flow,” Racheal explained.
The family’s plans for wildlife gardens visits and shopping have been replaced with uncertainty about their return flight, which could be delayed until next week.
The impact of Hurricane Milton extends beyond the Harris family, affecting numerous British tourists in Florida.
Flights to and from Tampa scheduled for yesterday and today have been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
Popular attractions are also shutting down, with Universal’s Orlando Resort cancelling events and closing Volcano Bay. Walt Disney World will close in phases on Wednesday, remaining shut until Thursday afternoon.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has urged Britons to flee, stating they are monitoring the situation closely.
However, some UK travellers have faced criticism from locals for their decision to visit during the hurricane. One couple from Essex, determined to continue their Disney-themed holiday, were met with furious responses from Floridians, who branded them “selfish” amid evacuation orders.
Hurricane Milton, now classified as a category-5 storm, poses a significant threat to Florida’s west-central coast.
The National Hurricane Centre in Miami warns it could be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for the region.