In response to Hurricane Milton, schools, government agencies and businesses across Central Florida are closing during the storm. This list will be updated as more closings are announced.
Schools
UCF suspended operations on all campuses and all classes, including online classes, from Tuesday through Thursday because of Hurricane Milton.
Rollins College said it canceled all in-person classes and events for the entire week due to Hurricane Milton.
Valencia College is closed Tuesday through Thursday. “We are planning to reopen and resume normal business operations on Friday, Oct. 11,” the school posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Stetson University in DeLand canceled all classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. The campus and residence halls will close at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
All Seminole County schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, the district announced Monday afternoon.
All Osceola County schools will be closed on Wednesday, the district said in a press release Sunday evening.
All Lake County schools will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, the district said in a press release Monday morning. Friday is a pre-scheduled teacher planning day, which students have off, the district said.
Hurricane Milton shelters opening in Central Florida
Transportation
Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) ceased commercial passenger and private operations in advance of Hurricane Milton beginning Wednesday morning. The airports will remain open to accept emergency/aid and relief flights as necessary. Officials said they intend to resume commercial operations as soon as possible based on damage assessments.
The airport announced that a total of 806 passenger flights have been impacted Wednesday.
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) suspended operations starting Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.
The Florida Department of Transportation suspended SunRail service beginning Tuesday, Oct. 8, according to a press release from FDOT. It’s expected to be closed through at least Thursday.
Governments
Orange County said its offices will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and possibly Friday.
Seminole County said its offices will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.
Osceola County and the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud will close their government offices on Wednesday due to Hurricane Milton.
Polk County government offices will now be closed through Friday with plans to reopen to the public Monday.
Oviedo said city offices will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. City park facilities will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.
Courts
All Orange County Clerk of Courts offices will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.
All court proceedings in the 9th Judicial Circuit will be cancelled for both days as well.
All offices of the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller will be closed beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday and will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
Theme Parks
Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will close at 1:00 pm Wednesday. Magic Kingdom park, EPCOT and Disney Springs will close at 2:00 pm. Disney says it is “likely” the parks will remain closed Thursday. Updates will be offered here.
Universal Orlando Resort will close most operations at 2 pm Wednesday and all day Thursday. Check online for updates.
SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove Orlando will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. The attractions plan to reopen for regular hours on Friday.
A team of animal care experts, including veterinarians, will remain onsite to monitor the animals, which are housed in buildings designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes.
Arts and Culture
Addition Financial Arena, on the University of Central Florida campus, has postponed the planned Oct. 11 Kirk Franklin concert to the following Thursday, Oct. 17.
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando will not have performances on Wednesday and Thursday; they will be rescheduled. AdventHealth School of the Arts has suspended classes Tuesday through Thursday.
The Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park will be closed Oct. 9-10.
Opera Orlando has canceled its “Opera Insights” program, which had been scheduled for Oct. 10.
The Orange County Library System will close all its branches, effective immediately through Friday. Normal operating hours will resume Saturday.
Orlando Science Center will close to the public at 3 pm on Tuesday and will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
Orlando Shakes has rescheduled its Wednesday performances of “What the Constitution Means to Me.” The previously scheduled 2 p.m. show will now take place at 2 p.m. Oct. 12, and the evening show will be at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13. Thursday’s performances have been canceled, and ticket holders will be able to attend other weekend performances.
The Rollins Museum of Art at Rollins College in Winter Park is closed, along with the rest of the campus, and has canceled all events through Sunday, Oct. 13.
Recreation
Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral will be close at 3 p.m. on Monday and will remained closed until further notice.
Retail
Many area Publix stores are closed Wednesday; some plan to reopen midday Thursday, with times varying depending on location. For more information on your nearby store, check here.
The Mall at Millenia will be closed on Wednesday, October 9. It has set no time for reopening, but updates will be posted on https://www.mallatmillenia.com/
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