Florida evacuation sends waves of passengers to RDU as Hurricane Milton nears

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is bracing for the impact of Florida’s largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Tampa International Airport closed Tuesday in anticipation of Hurricane Milton, and Orlando International Airport is expected to close on Wednesday.

“Had to cut our flight short, our trip short because they are closing the airport tomorrow. The Orlando airport is being closed tomorrow morning, so we had to reschedule our flight.Traffic was stop and go coming in on the I-4 from Tampa,” Debbie Key, who arrived from Orlando said.

Many are continuing to take the steps people are taking the steps to get out of Florida.

“We Had to cut our flight short, our trip short because they are closing the airport tomorrow. The Orlando airport is being closed tomorrow morning, so we had to reschedule our flight,” Key said.

Increase of RDU flights seen Monday night

Several flights from Tampa – filled with passengers seeking safety ahead of the approaching storm – landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) Monday night.

Eight flights from Florida arrived Monday night, and several passenger expressed concern about getting out before the massive Category 5 hurricane strikes.

Milton’s arrival comes less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene left more than 200 dead and thousands with flooded and damaged homes in North Carolina and surrounding states.

As Hurricane Milton approaches, a sense of relief washes over some landing at RDU.

“Thank God we came back when we did, because this storm is going to be a monster,” Joe Damocko said.

Damocko flew in from Orlando, where he and his family wrapped up a trip at Disney. However, on their way home, they started seeing signs that a hurricane was approaching.

Milton is expected to make landfall late Wednesday into Thursday, potentially dumping up to 15 inches of rain in some parts of Florida.

“Governor DeSantis was on the news this morning, and he is pulling all stops out. He’s telling everybody if you’re in the path of the storm, get out of the way,” Damocko said Monday.

We’re also seeing delays at RDU coming out of Florida. There a seven canceled flights Tuesday morning, some coming from Tampa International Airport.

Of the eight flights arriving from Florida Monday night, three were delayed, including flight 4825 from Tampa—a city bracing for a potential 10-foot storm surge.

Tim Synder, who flew in from Tampa, said he was relieved but can’t stop thinking about what’s to come.

“Thank God. Thank God. I mean, just because from what happened in the mountains in western North Carolina, my thoughts and prayers are with every one of the people up there,” Snyder said. “Just to see the devastation that it did and the devastation that Hurricane Milton could do to Florida.”

Currently, 51 Florida counties are under a state of emergency, with Tampa International Airport closing at 9 a.m. Tuesday and Orlando following on Wednesday.