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Days of disruption expected as Dorian heads towards US coast
Passengers have been warned it might take several days to rearrange their Florida flights following the closure of Orlando airport as Hurricane Dorian moves dangerously close to the US south-east coast.
Although Dorian has been downgraded to a Category 4 storm, it is still potentially lethal officials have warned.
Nearly 3,000 flights have been cancelled to and from the US so far since Monday and more are expected.
Dorian is moving very slowly over the Bahamas, where it has already caused widespread devastation and killed at least five people, tracking towards the US southeast coast.
The National Hurricane Center warned that hurricane force winds and rain could reach Florida by Tuesday evening.
Along with other Florida airports, Orlando International Airport has closed today in preparation for Dorian’s arrival.
The Prime Minister of the Bahamas has described the devastation of Hurricane Dorian as ‘unprecedented’, while Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina have all declared states of emergency as Hurricane Dorian approaches.
The storm hit the northern Bahamas on Monday as one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever recorded and the islands have suffered huge damage, with unconfirmed casualties reported.
Hubert Minnis tweeted on Monday: "The devastation is unprecedented. Winds have decreased to 165mph but Dorian remains an extremely dangerous storm. Our focus right now is rescue, recovery and prayer."
The second-strongest Atlantic storm on record forced Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau to close on Sunday, but it has since re-opened.
Marriott issued a statement on Monday saying: "We continue to monitor the path of Hurricane Dorian, and our hotels in the predicted path have implemented storm preparation protocols. We are in close contact with local authorities, and will take guidance and direction from them as the situation warrants.
"We encourage those planning to travel to the storm area to check news updates for the most current information, and amend plans accordingly."
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Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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