The area around Walt Disney World Resort has been issued a Tropical Storm Warning. A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when Tropical Storm conditions, including winds of 39-73 mph, are EXPECTED in a specified coastal area within 36 hours or less. This comes as Tropical Storm Idalia continues to gain steam and get closer to becoming a hurricane. It follows the initial Tropical Storm Watch that was issued earlier.
“A northward motion is expected through tonight, followed by a faster north-northeast motion on Tuesday and Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Idalia is forecast to pass near or over western Cuba tonight, over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, and reach the Gulf coast of Florida within the Hurricane Warning area on Wednesday,” the National Hurricane Center said on Monday. “Rapid strengthening is predicted during the next day or so. Idalia is forecast to become a hurricane this evening or tonight, and become a major hurricane by late Tuesday or Tuesday night.”
It is expected that a Hurricane Idalia will begin to impact Central Florida where Walt Disney World Resort is sometime on Tuesday. Hurricane Idalia is expected to be a Category 3 Hurricane before reaching landfall in Florida. The National Weather Service issued strong warnings for those in the path of Hurricane Idalia on Monday afternoon. It reads as following:
On Monday afternoon, Walt Disney World Resort posted the following statement on its website:
Tropical Storm Idalia
Walt Disney World is currently operating under normal conditions. We are closely monitoring the path of the projected weather as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members.
Last year Hurricane Ian led to Walt Disney World Resort closing its theme parks and modifying its operations at its hotels. Hurricane Ian became a category 1 hurricane on September 26, 2022. The once-in-a-lifetime storm hit Florida on September 28. It caused massive flooding, storm surge, and other damage. Daps Magic covered the progress of this storm and provided updates on how it impacted Walt Disney World Resort and the Disney Cruise Line.
Already, Tropical Storm Idalia has led to the Disney Fantasy changing its itinerary to avoid the storm. Guests were told about the course change when they boarded the Disney Cruise Line ship on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
If you are staying at Walt Disney World Resort, kindly follow the instructions of the cast members. They are tasked with keeping your safe, and are also still attempting to create a magical environment. If a hurricane or tropical storm does hit, there are many different types of dangers that will accompany it. This doesn’t just include the storm itself, but also the water and flooding that comes with it. This can also lead to other dangers that may not be overtly apparent to guests. However, Disney will do everything its can to keep both guests and cast member safe.
Daps Magic will continue to monitor the progress and impact of Idalia as it nears the Walt Disney World Resort area. Be sure to subscribe to Daps Magic and not miss any Disney And Positive Stuff updates, including further updates about Hurricane Idalia.
