Hurricane Milton is set to hit Florida on Wednesday October 9 (Image: NOAA / SWNS)

Hurricane Milton prompts urgent Foreign Office travel warning to UK tourists visiting Florida

Hurricane Milton, which is expected to be the worst storm to hit Florida in over a century, is set to hit the west coast of the US state on this evening.

by · Daily Record

The Foreign Office (FCDO) has urged UK holidaymakers to not visit Florida amid its latest USA travel guidance over "life-threatening" weather conditions.

Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall on the west coast of Florida in a matter of hours. It is is expected to hit either on the evening of October 9 or the morning of October 10 with tropical force winds affecting the west coast from Wednesday morning.

The FCDO has warned that "no travel can be guaranteed safe at this time" for anyone heading to the sunshine stare. It comes as airline Virgin Atlantic has axed 23 flights between the UK and Florida.

In the latest update, published on Tuesday (October 9) the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office stated: "There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and high winds on the west coast with heavy rainfall and high winds expected to impact large parts of Florida.

Virgin Atlantic have cancelled 23 flights between the UK and Florida (Image: Steve Parsons/PA Wire)

"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice here. Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated."

Travellers have been advised to monitor approaching storms on the US National Hurricane Centre website and follow all instructions from local authorities, including evacuation orders.

If you are going to be affected by the hurricane, you should also visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website for information on preparing for extreme weather and evacuating. If you are due to travel by airplane to the US, check with your airline or travel agent about possible disruption to flights or airport services and follow their advice.

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This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.

While travel is being advised against, the Foreign Office has stressed that if you do choose to travel, it's essential that you research your destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

The monstrous category 5 hurricane, which US President Joe Biden said may be "the worst storm to hit Florida in over a century" is expected to hit late on Wednesday October 9.

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Millions have been told to evacuate their homes and the Tampa Bay area faces the devastating possibility of widespread destruction, after avoiding direct hits from major hurricanes for over 100 years.

The National Hurricane Centre has predicted Milton would likely weaken but will remain a major hurricane during much of its approach and when it makes landfall.

All current travel advice for the USA on the Foreign Office's website can be found here.

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