Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall, Passing Through Disney World Area Tonight

Latest Update: 9/30/22 8:57 pm EDT – Disney World Theme Parks Return to Normal Operation Saturday

Published: 9/28/22 6:00 pm EDT
Previous Update: 9/28/22 11:30 pm EDT – Hurricane Update: Storm Center Moves into Disney World County
Previous Updates: 9/29/22
9:03 am EDT – VIDEO: Record Flooding Hits Central Florida — Disney World Status Update
12:20 pm EDT – Ian Leaving Florida, But Storm Still Rages in Orlando Area
7:10 pm EDT – Disney World, Disney Cruise Line Assess Damage Reopening Plans
Previous Updates: 9/30/22
8:47 am EDT – Storm has Passed – Disney World, Universal, MCO Begin Reopening
12:34 pm EDT – Post-Storm Update: Crowds Return to Parks, Disney World Weekend Weather Forecast

 

The Guests of Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and all of the other Guests and residents of Central Florida are in for a rough night.

The latest tracks and advisory from the National Hurricane Center show that the storm–which is still a Category 4 with sustained winds of 140 mph–is set to hit the area of Orange County as a Category 1 sometime between tonight and Thursday morning.

5pm #Ian advisory has just been issued; Here's a look… pic.twitter.com/cekjlHVFxf

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 28, 2022

Read More: What Happens When a Hurricane Threatens Disney World? Here’s What to Know

According to the NHC,

“Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts. Ian is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Further weakening is expected for the next day or so, but Ian could be near hurricane strength when it moves over the Florida East coast tomorrow, and when it approaches the northeastern Florida, Georgia and South Carolina coasts late Friday.”

Tornado warnings are in effect throughout Central Florida as well.

There is also a concern for flooding. WESH2 Meteorologist Eric Burris tweeted a warning about massive amounts of rain, anywhere between 12-24 inches.

“It will come tonight, and it’s just too much,” he tweeted. “Please please please, be safe. If we say there’s a flash flood warning, there’s a reason. Please- common sense. If you’re in a flood prone area, let’s be sure to find higher ground before it’s too late…”

It will come tonight, and it’s just too much. Please please please, be safe. If we say there’s a flash flood warning, there’s a reason. Please- common sense. If you’re in a flood prone area, let’s be sure to find higher ground before it’s too late…

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 28, 2022

Walt Disney World Resort has already closed flood-prone areas of its Resort Hotels, including Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, relocating the current Guests to safer accommodations and refunding immanent Guests.

Throughout today, current Disney World Resort Guests were settling in, getting ready to shelter in place over the next day or so. Cast Members have also made special box meals available for purchase. Click the link below for our latest coverage of that story.

Read More: Disney World Guests Hunker Down as Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall

Orlando International Airport is now closed. Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Water Parks remain closed for Thursday, September 29. Port Canaveral also remains closed, and the sailing aboard the Disney Wish set to leave Friday, September 30, has been canceled as the ship remains out to see avoiding the storm.

While widespread power outages are expected throughout Central Florida, it is unclear if Disney World will lose power for its hotels at this time.

We will continue to update our readers on Hurricane Ian’s impact on Disney World and Central Florida as more developments come to light.

Previous Coverage

• Disney World Guests Hunker Down as Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall
• Hurricane Ian Nearing Cat 5 Strength – Disney World Weather Update
• Hurricane Ian Set to Make Landfall, Still Locked on Disney World Area
• Hurricane Ian Eyes Orlando, Disney World Confirms Multi-Day Park Closure
• Ian Still Cat 3, Disney World Under Hurricane Watch
• Ian Now a Category 3, Disney World Still Open Today
• Ian to Become Major Hurricane, Disney Theme Parks Still Opening
• Hurricane Ian Now Category 2, Could Still Hit Disney World
• Hurricane Ian Strengthens, Disney World Under Tropical Storm Watch
• Hurricane Ian Forms in Caribbean — Disney World Weekly Forecast
• Tropical Storm Ian Building Strength, Turning Closer to Disney World
• TS Ian Still Low and Slow, But Some Tracks Stay Over Disney World
• Path to Panhandle Narrows, Disney World Still at Risk
•  Ian Still Tropical Storm, Still Moving West
• Ian to Become Hurricane Sunday, Biden Cancels Disney World Visit
• Ian to Become Category 4 Hurricane, DeSantis Expands State of Emergency
• Path Moves Slightly West, Cape Canaveral Begins Preparations
• Tropical Storm Ian Grows, Disney World County Starts Storm Prep
• Tropical Storm Ian Forms, Category 2 Hurricane Now Expected to Reach Disney World Area
• DeSantis Declares State of Emergency, MCO Issues Update for Travelers
• Hurricane Likely to Hit Florida as Category 3
• Hurricane Likely to Form, Head for Florida
• Going to Disney World Next Week? Might Want to Start Watching the Weather