MCO Stays Open as Hurricane Helene Rain Bands Approach Disney World, Dozens of Flights Canceled

Sep 26, 2024 in "Severe Weather impacts to Walt Disney World"

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Hurricane Helene

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Posted: Thursday September 26, 2024 5:40pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

As Hurricane Helene makes its way toward Florida's Big Bend area, Orlando International Airport (MCO) remains operational, though some airlines have preemptively canceled flights. As of 4:15 pm, a total of 65 flights have been canceled, including 31 arrivals and 34 departures.

Orlando International's Operations Update

While MCO is still open, passengers are advised to check directly with their airlines for updates on flight cancellations and schedule changes. The airport's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains active at Level 2, meaning it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the National Weather Service in Melbourne for real-time updates on the storm's progress.

In preparation for Hurricane Helene, MCO has taken several precautionary steps, including lowering water levels in nearby ponds and lakes, removing portable signage that could be impacted by strong winds, reviewing emergency plans, and ensuring that emergency generators are fully functional.

Hurricane Helene's Latest Forecast

As of the latest advisory, Hurricane Helene has intensified to a Category 3 storm, with sustained winds of 125 mph. The storm is approximately 180 miles west-southwest of Leesburg, FL, moving north-northeast at 23 mph. Helene is expected to make landfall along Florida's Big Bend coast late tonight.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and nearby counties, with the potential for wind gusts between 60 and 65 mph and frequent tropical storm force winds affecting the entire Florida Peninsula. Rain bands associated with the hurricane are expected to produce 1 to 2 inches of rain in the Orlando area, with higher amounts possible in certain locations, leading to the risk of localized flooding.

A Tornado Watch is also in effect for the region until 8 pm, with the possibility of additional watches being issued later tonight. There is also a Flood Watch for East Central Florida, including the Walt Disney World and MCO area, as heavy rainfall could lead to urban and low-lying area flooding.

Operational Impacts at Walt Disney World

Disney announced late this afternoon that all nighttime shows, including Fantasmic! and Luminous, had been canceled for this evening. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, originally scheduled for September 26, 2024, has been canceled, and guests will receive refunds. Additionally, Typhoon Lagoon and all miniature golf courses will be closed for the entire day. At Disney's Animal Kingdom, the following Enchanting Extras Collection experiences are also canceled: Savor the Savanna, Up Close with Rhinos, Walking with Giants, and Wild Africa Trek. To accommodate guests, Magic Kingdom's operating hours have been extended until 8 pm on September 26.

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The MomOct 05, 2024

Helene is no longer a WDW threat, so this thread will be moved to Chit Chat where the discussion can continue.

John park hopperOct 05, 2024

Looks like that disturbance in the Gulf will develop into something over the next week and is heading east. I know it is early but the spaghetti models have it going right over south Florida. Anyone headed to the Bubble in the next week should keep an eye on it. Kirk and Leslie in the Atlantic don't appear to be a threat to the East Coast

cranbizOct 04, 2024

Absolutely! There are many worthwhile organizations will use Helene disaster donations well. I just touched on a few of them. People just need to stay away from the huge national organizations (cough, cough Red Cross/United Way) as funding received almost always goes to overhead and not to the victims. A couple of years ago, we had severe coastal flooding and wind damage in the New Bern area. The Red Cross came into town, held a big press conference and then left, never to be heard from again.

Vegas Disney FanOct 04, 2024

This is also why I chuckle when I read comments asking “why didn’t they evacuate”though, in most these forecasts the projected path is hundreds of miles wide, it’s unrealistic to evacuate the entire area. You look at the forecast and make a calculated guess at your risk. It makes sense for the people in high risk areas (along the coast, flood zones, etc) to evacuate but for those that are in low risk areas you just don’t expect complete devastation like this. I was watching the news the other day and one of the people interviewed mentioned that many of the areas hit hardest by Helene are areas people often evacuate to because they are considered safe, unfortunately nowhere is immune to Mother Natures wrath.

JoeCamelOct 04, 2024

Can I add to your list that World Central Kitchen is serving in the area as well, Chef Jose is selfless in his desire and ability to feed people that need to be fed

cranbizOct 04, 2024

My area got heavy rain, winds and a tornado or 2. Fortunately there was only minor flooding but lots of trees down. I'm a Volunteer Fire Fighter for Wentworth, NC in Rockingham County. Compared for Western NC, we got nothing and we were busy for close to 24 hours for storm related emergencies. Our county has been running equipment, pet and livestock feed and emergency supplies out to Boone, Marion and other areas. One just can't comprehend the devastation out there. The biggest issue was the fact the area has been getting heavy rain for several weeks prior to Helene and the ground was so saturated there was no place for the water to go. There are towns that got wiped off the map. Monetary donations are best sent to an organization like Samaritan's Purse, Mercy Chefs, Local County Gov., WNC Regional Livestock Center or many of the church organizations. The Red Cross and the United Way are jokes and money sent to them will most likely end up in places other than Western NC.

LilofanOct 03, 2024

The worrisome storm I hope the forecasters are wrong is next week going across FL again. Hopefully it will just be a rain event but the friends I know who lost their homes in the Tampa area due to floods don't need anymore. Wait and see and pray.

JoeCamelOct 02, 2024

There is nothing bad to say about Asheville it was a wonderful place to visit and probably to live as so many did. Sounds like your Uncle is being cared for and conditions are easing quickly in the population centers, the nooks and hollars will take much longer. Help is pouring into the area so the work has started to recover from the hit they took Sad that many have chosen to inject politics into a natural disaster playing who can I blame rather than asking "WHO CAN I HELP"

mf1972Oct 02, 2024

i have an uncle who lives in asheville. he retired there 16-18 years ago i believe. he’s now in a assisted living facility. my sister is his POA & what i read the facility, staff, & their residents are doing fine. they’re doing ok with food, water, etc. they did lose phones, power, etc but have generators. they haven’t listed anything yet as far as making any donations. i already donated to red cross & a food service/shelter through amazon. i’ve never had the chance to visit asheville myself. my dad has, & both he & my uncle had nothing bad to say about it.

AylaOct 02, 2024

The previous invest is now tropical depression 13.

AylaOct 02, 2024

John park hopperOct 02, 2024

Both storms in the Atlantic according to the NHC will track north in the mid Atlantic --nothing so far off the Yucatan. Month of October hurricane tapper off.