Hurricane Dorian: Is it safe to travel to Florida and the Bahamas?

Orlando airport has reversed its plan to close from 2am local time on Monday morning, and now expects to remain open

Storm Dorian is approaching the Bahamas and southeastern US, triggering transport disruption. These are the key questions and answers for travellers.

Where is the storm, and where is it heading?

At 8am BST on Sunday, the centre of Hurricane Dorian is 270 miles east of the Atlantic coast of Florida at West Palm Beach, heading west at around 8mph. It is on course to approach the northwestern isles of the Bahamas later on Sunday.

The Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama Island are expected to be hit by the full force.

All flights at those islands have been been cancelled for the weekend. But the main airport for the Bahamas, Nassau, says it aims to be open for operations on Sunday 1 September and throughout Hurricane Dorian.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) bulletin said: “A slower westward motion should occur for the next day or two, followed by a gradual turn toward the northwest. On this track, the core of Dorian should be near or over portions of the northwestern Bahamas later today, and move closer to the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday.

“Data from an Air Force Reserve Unit Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds remain near 150 mph with higher gusts.

“Dorian is expected to remain a powerful hurricane during the next few days.”

The latest prediction is that the centre of the storm will turn north as it approaches the coast of Florida, paralleling the shore and eventually making landfall in North Carolina late on Thursday night.

The Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, said: “I am declaring a state of emergency to ensure Florida is fully prepared for Hurricane Dorian.”

Tens of thousands of British travellers are in the state, and others are elsewhere in the path of the storm.

How powerful will it be?

Hurricane-force winds will extend outwards up to 30 miles from the centre, while tropical storm-force winds can be felt over 100 miles from the centre.

The NHC says: “A life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 15 to 20 feet above normal tide levels in areas of the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama Island.

“Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

In the next few days up to two feet of rain are expected in the Bahamas, and up to one foot in the coastal areas of the southeastern US: central Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

“This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods,” says the NHC.

“Large swells will affect the east-facing shores of the Bahamas, the Florida east coast, and the southeastern United States coast during the next few days.

“These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”

What are people in the path being told?

The National Emergency Management Agency of the Bahamas said in the early hours of Sunday morning: “Extensive rain bands are already affecting Cat Island, Eleuthera, Abaco, Grand Bahama, The Berry Islands and Bimini since 7pm this evening.”

The Florida state governor said: “It’s important for Floridians on the East Coast to monitor this storm closely.

“Every Florida resident should have seven days of supplies, including food, water and medicine, and should have a plan in case of disaster.”

The Foreign Office is warning British travellers: “High winds and rainfall from intense thunderstorms are anticipated.

“Monitor the progress of approaching storms on the US National Hurricane Center website and follow instructions issued by the local authorities, including any evacuation orders.”

How bad will Florida be hit?

Even if, as predicted, the centre of Hurricane Dorian turns north, the Atlantic shore of Florida will be hard hit. Tropical-storm-force winds are expected across much of the state. The Florida Keys, the Gulf Coast and the “Panhandle” that stretches along the north side of the Gulf of Mexico are less likely to be badly affected.

The main destination for British visitors is Orlando, which is about 60 miles inland from the Atlantic shore. Orlando airport had originally announced it would close from 2am local time on Monday morning, but says it will now remain open.”

Can I get out, or delay my arrival to the region?

Virgin Atlantic, the biggest UK airline in terms of flights to Orlando, says: “We are in the process of reviewing our flight schedules and we anticipate that we will be able to update customers on Sunday.

“We’re offering customers travelling from, to or through Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Key West, Melbourne, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota/Bradenton, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach in Florida, Brunswick and Valdosta in Georgia, up to 6 September 2019, the option to rebook to a later date.

“Travel must be completed on or before 17 October 2019, subject to availability of seats in the same cabin. These changes will be free of charge.”

BA says: “We are closely monitoring Hurricane Dorian, which is forecast to make landfall in Florida over the coming days. There could be some disruption to our services in this area, and we are currently working on our plans to minimise disruption for our customers.

“If you are due to travel with British Airways to or from Miami, Orlando, Tampa or Fort Lauderdale up to Wednesday 4 September but no longer wish to travel, you are able to change your booking free of charge and travel on a later date up to and including Friday 6 September.

Norwegian says: “All flights remain scheduled as normal but we continue to monitor the situation. If flights are impacted, Norwegian will offer free rebooking to passengers who are unable to reach their flight or no longer wish to travel.

“Bookings must be for a flight to/from Miami, Orlando and Tampa before 3 September 2019

“Rebookings can be made to another date on a flight to/from Miami, Orlando and Tampa for travel up to 13 September 2019.

“We are not accepting cancellations – however, if customers wish to cancel, we recommend they contact their travel insurance provider to check their coverage before cancelling the reservation.”

Alternative dates are subject to availability.

American Airlines and Delta are among many others offering “waivers” – the chance to switch flights to miss the worst of the weather, without paying a financial penalty.