Hurricane Milton: storm alerts in Yucatan, Florida braces for impact; airlines activate waivers

This story was updated on Monday, October 7 at 3:30 p.m. EST 

Florida is bracing for impact as Hurricane Milton intensified in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday night (Oct. 5), according to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC).

By late Monday, Milton strengthened further as a Category 5 storm, with winds of 180 mph, and may stay at that level through Tuesday before making landfall on the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning Tuesday night or early Wednesday, the NHC said.

The NHC said Milton continues to "explosively intensify" and is urging residents to follow directions from local officials if told to evacuate.

Milton is the strongest Atlantic hurricane in five years since Hurricane Dorian in 2019. 

Meanwhile, storm alerts were issued for the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancun, as Milton passed through Monday. Local authorities have also extended warnings from Holbox down to Tulum, according to Riviera Maya News.

The Yucatan Peninsula is expected to be hit with heavy rain and winds as Milton passes through the region on Monday and Tuesday.

Milton threatens Florida

Back in Florida, state Gov. Ron DeSantis said Milton is forecast to make landfall in the Madeira Beach area of Pinellas County around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, adding that the path of the storm could change direction over the next few days.

Hurricane Watches were issued along Florida’s Gulf Coast from about the Cedar Key area southward to Naples, including Tampa and Fort Myers.

Tropical Storm Watches have also issued for the Florida Keys, as well as for Gulf Coast communities from Flamingo to south of Chokoloskee and from north of the Suwanee River to Indian Pass.

In a press statement, DeSantis predicted that Multon could be more devastating than what occurred when Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 27 in the Big Bend area of north Florida.

Hurricane Helene recently ripped through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee, killing more than 230 people.

On Saturday (Oct. 5), Florida declared a state of emergency for 35 counties along the state’s west coast ahead of Milton’s arrival.

Residents have been urged to start preparing now for Milton by replenishing their supplies and non-perishable food depleted during Hurricane Helene.

Reports say that crews are still in the process of clearing out the debris that was left by Helene just a couple of weeks ago.

The White House said President Joe Biden was briefed on Milton on Sunday. "The president was briefed on its potential impacts to the Florida Gulf Coast, and the work FEMA is doing to preposition lifesaving resources in advance of the storm," the White House said.

A separate weather system was reportedly soaking Florida with two to five inches of rain over the weekend, increasing the threat of flooding once Milton lands in Florida.

If Milton makes landfall in Florida, it will be the third to do so this season following the landfalls of Debby in August and Helene in September.

Airlines activate flexible policies

Canadian airlines have activated flexible rebooking policies for flights to impacted regions. 

Air Canada has revised its ticketing policy to make it easier for customers travelling on an affected flight to make changes to their booking without penalty (space permitting).

A flexible policy up until Oct. 11 applies to flights heading to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, Fort Myers and Orlando. A similar waiver also applies to Cancun, up until Oct. 8. Click here for more. 

WestJet, too, has a waiver for flights to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Fort Myers, FL until Oct. 9.

For all WestJet flight-only bookings for travel between until that day, on all fares (including Basic):    

• A $0 one-time fee waiver will be offered for changes or cancellations.   
• If you change your destination, the difference in fare applies.  Any residual funds are refunded.
• If you change to a different cabin, the difference in fare applies. Any residual funds are refunded.
• Travel must be completed within 60 days of original departure date.
• If you cancel your booking, the funds will be refunded or credited based on the fare class booked; Basic will receive travel credit.
• If you cancel your booking, any portion paid with WestJet dollars, Travel Bank credit or a WestJet rewards companion voucher will be returned to your account and the original expiration date (if applicable) will apply.
• If you cancel your booking, any portion paid with WestJet dollars or a WestJet rewards companion voucher that has expired or is expiring within 60 days will be reinstated with a new expiry date 60 days from the date of reinstatement. 
• Any portion paid with WestJet dollars or Travel Bank credit will be returned to your account and the original expiration date (if applicable) will apply.    
• Change or cancellation must be requested more than two hours prior to departure. 

Click here for details.

This is a developing story.

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