Tornado Watch Issued for Walt Disney World Area as Hurricane Helene Approaches Florida

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

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Posted: Thursday September 26, 2024 6:50am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

With Hurricane Helene gaining strength and edging closer to Florida, a Tornado Watch has been issued for Orange and Osceola Counties, including Walt Disney World.

The National Weather Service warns of the potential for several tornadoes embedded in rain bands from the hurricane, posing a significant threat to Central Florida throughout the day.

Latest Hurricane Helene Forecast

As of early Thursday morning, Hurricane Helene is about 410 miles southwest of Leesburg, Florida, with sustained winds of 90 mph. The storm is moving north-northeast at 12 mph and is forecast to make landfall along the Florida Big Bend coast as a major hurricane this evening. Central Florida will experience tropical storm conditions, with winds of 60-65 mph and heavy rainfall of 1 to 3 inches, leading to potential flooding in low-lying areas.

Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning: What's the Difference?

A Tornado Watch means that weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. In this case, the Tornado Watch covers Orange and Osceola Counties, indicating that tornadoes could form within Hurricane Helene's rain bands. During a Tornado Watch, it's important to stay alert, have multiple ways to receive weather updates, and be prepared to take shelter if a tornado develops.

A Tornado Warning, on the other hand, means that a tornado has been spotted or indicated on radar. If a Tornado Warning is issued, you should take immediate action by seeking shelter in an interior room or basement away from windows. Warnings are typically short-lived but require immediate response to protect yourself from potential danger.

Closures at Walt Disney World Due to Hurricane Helene

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.

All four main Walt Disney World parks are planned to operate as normal today.

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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.