Disney World, Florida Keeps Eye On Newly Formed Tropical Depression

Florida is still cleaning up from Hurricane Idalia which hit several parts of the state last week.

Now, the Sunshine State is keeping an eye on a newly formed tropical depression in the central tropical Atlantic, which models are predicting could hit Florida.

Hurricane season runs from June through November, and Florida is clearly getting the brunt of it. Not only are they still recovering from Hurricane Idalia, but now Invest 95L, which is an area of low pressure located over the central tropical Atlantic, developed into Tropical Depression Thirteen on Tuesday.

According to Click Orlando, "Environmental conditions are conducive for further development, and a tropical depression or tropical storm is expected to form over the next day or so while the low moves toward the west-northwest at 15 to 20 mph across the central tropical Atlantic."

It is expected to continue strengthening and could turn into a hurricane later this week. Although right now, computer models are showing the system curving away from Florida, it is still too early to be certain of its path.

Last week, Hurricane Idalia hit the Category 4 stage before it made landfall into Florida as a strong Category 3. Despite the strong winds and heavy rain, Florida state officials only counted one Florida death due to the hurricane, which was a traffic fatality in Alachua County.

“Four events in six years tends to bring it to the forefront of the conversation,” said Angie Lindsey, coordinator of the Florida Extension Disaster Education Network at the University of Florida, per The Tampa Bay Times. “It’s so important to use these events as teaching tools so that we go back and tweak what we need to. What have we learned that we can apply for next time?”

The Hurricane mainly hit the western part of the state, meaning Walt Disney World was not affected. The company kept the Parks open last week, although it was a ghost town as many people did not venture into Disney World in the rain and winds.

Walt Disney World takes hurricane warnings very seriously. If, in the event of a hurricane warning, or if a hurricane hits Walt Disney World, the Parks will close and Guests will stay inside their Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Cast Members will be in the lobby to entertain Guests, and Disney will ensure they provide as much magic as possible during the unprecedented time.

Per Disney, “If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney. Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates.”

Walt Disney World has only closed its Orlando theme parks eight times for hurricanes since opening in 1971:

• 1985: Hurricane Elena
• 1999: Hurricane Floyd
• 2004: Hurricane Charlie
• 2004: Hurriance Francis
• 2004: Hurricane Jeanne
• 2016: Hurricane Matthew
• 2017: Hurricane Irma
• 2019: Hurriance Dorian
• 2022: Hurriance Ian

Florida and Walt Disney World will continue to monitor the latest tropical depression.