DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Epic Universe: Universal Orlando announces opening date for the theme park
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Universal Orlando Resort announced Thursday morning that its highly anticipated new theme park, Epic Universe, will open on May 22, 2025, just before Memorial Day weekend. “I anticipate that this new Epic Universe theme park will easily crack 6 million plus visitors during its first 12 months of operation,” Speigel told CNN in an email. “Universal Studios theme parks have been on a huge roll since Harry Potter was introduced in 2010.”Speigel said this park will ratchet up the Orlando theme park market, where Universal and Disney are the biggest players. Speigel – along with many theme park fans – wonders how Disney will respond to its competitor’s moves and whether it will also open a new theme park in the coming years. It will be located in the new theme park, with Universal’s first dedicated theme park entrance for hotel guests.

Persons: Harry Potter, we’re, ”, Karen Irwin, Dennis Speigel, Speigel, “, ” Speigel, Potter, Universal’s, –, Voldemort, Ron, Hermione, Donkey Kong Organizations: CNN — Universal Orlando Resort, Ministry of Magic, Nintendo, Universal Orlando, Park, CNN, “ Universal Studios, Universal, Disney, Ministry, Universal Parks, Universal Orlando Resort, Loews, Super Nintendo, Universal Parks USA, Paris, British Ministry, Floo, Universal Islands of, Universal Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan Locations: Orlando, Berk, Central Florida, Universal Islands, Los Angeles

☆ Universal's Epic Universe theme park set to open in May 2025
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Universal 's Epic Universe theme park will open its gates on May 22, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. First announced in 2019, Epic Universe represents the single-largest investment Comcast's NBCUniversal has ever made in its theme parks business and in Florida overall, CEO Brian Roberts said at the time. Epic Universe will be anchored around the Loews Hotels' Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a 500-room property that will have a dedicated entrance to the park for hotel guests. This first phase of tickets will allow guests to purchase three-, four- or five-day admission to Universal's Orlando Resort, with one-day admission to Epic Universe. Additionally, annual passholders will have the chance to buy single-day tickets to Epic Universe on Oct. 24 before they go on sale to the general public.

Persons: Harry Potter –, NBCUniversal, Brian Roberts, we're, Karen Irwin Organizations: Magic, Nintendo, Orlando, Universal Studios, Universal Orlando Resort, Loews Hotels, Universal, Comcast, CNBC Locations: Orlando , Florida, Berk, Florida, NBCUniversal

☆ Disney’s new all-access, skip-the-line plan can cost more than the park ticket does
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

For example, it will cost $137.39 (after tax) to add the Premier Pass to an Animal Kingdom park ticket on a less busy day. EPCOT’s pass would cost more, Hollywood Studios a bit more than that, with the most expensive Premier Pass at Magic Kingdom. To buy a Premier Pass for the Magic Kingdom park on a very busy day such as Christmas would cost $478.19 (after tax) in addition to your park ticket. At Universal Studios Hollywood, which has one theme park with 17 express lines, this pass can cost anywhere from $80 to $170 (not taxable) in addition to the theme park ticket price. The Premier Pass is “priced for someone for whom the time-money tradeoff is different,” Munsil said.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Disney, EPCOT’s, Allen J, what’s, CNN Don Munsil, Munsil, ” Munsil Organizations: CNN, Lightning, Disney, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Los Angeles Times, Disney Food, The Universal Studios, Universal, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Resort Orlando, Universal Orlando, Royal Pacific Locations: Florida, California, Animal, Animal Kingdom, Magic, Disney California, ”, SeaWorld, Portofino

Bridgette Bello thought she’d taken proper precautions to protect against Florida’s notorious hurricanes, having purchased flood insurance as well as a separate hurricane-specific policy, in addition to her regular homeowners coverage. That’s because flooding caused much of the property damage — and most homeowners insurance policies do not cover any flood impact. A resident cleans the front of his mobile home in Sarasota, Fla., on Oct. 10 after Hurricane Milton. Eva Marie Uzcategui / The Washington Post - Getty ImThe insurance industry is categorizing Hurricane Helene as an almost entirely flood-driven event. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the government-backed plan covering 95% of flood insurance policyholders in America, only covers losses up to 50% of what it deems a property to be worth — not including the land that the property sits on.

Persons: Bridgette Bello, she’d, Helene, —, Milton, Bello, ”, “, Rick Tutwiler, Hurricane Milton, Eva Marie Uzcategui, Amy Bach, Mark Friedlander, Friedlander, adjusters, ” Friedlander, ” Patti Drew’s, Deborah, Drew, didn’t, “ I’m, Shane Ostrander, Ostrander, Kathleen Flynn, she’s, Martin Weiss, Weiss, Chip LaMarca Organizations: Associates, NBC, Hurricane, Washington Post, Insurance Information Institute, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Flood Insurance, NBC News, “, Broward County Republican Locations: Madeira Beach, Tampa, Milton, Florida, Sarasota , Fla, “, Punta Gorda, Florida’s, Charlotte County, America, Fort Pierce, Fla, Orlando, Broward County

☆ U.S. men's soccer begins Pochettino era with 2-0 friendly win over Panama
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-13 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

AUSTIN, Texas — Mauricio Pochettino arrived at Q2 Stadium to see posters and banners with his face around the grandstand and behind a goal. Pochettino was given a contract through the 2026 World Cup that the U.S. will co-host and is tasked with sparking a team that has not reached the World Cup quarterfinals since 2002. But when a new coach is coming, for sure a victory, and that’s what happened,” Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said. Mexican referee Katia Garcia was believed to be the first woman to referee a U.S. men’s national team match. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who hasn’t played for the U.S. since the last World Cup qualifiers in March 2022, did not dress because of what the U.S. Soccer Federation said was a minor injury.

Persons: Texas — Mauricio Pochettino, Yunus Musah, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, ” Pochettino, “ It’s, Germain, Gregg Berhalter, Pochettino, Musah, ” Musah, Antonee Robinson, Michael Murillo, Brenden Aaronson, César Blackman, Orlando Mosquera, “, He’s, ”, Pulisic, “ He’s, ” Pulisic, Sergiño Dest, Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, Balogun, Malik Tillman, Matt Turner, Haji Wright, Pepi, —, Turner, Puma Rodríguez’s, Bárcenas, Panama’s José Fajardo, ” Turner, Panama, Weah, Thomas Christiansen, ” Tim Ream, Preki, Josh Sargent, Katia Garcia, Zack Steffen, hasn’t, Marlon Fossey, Weston McKennie Organizations: AC Milan, Panama, Mexico, Tottenham, Chelsea, Paris Saint, Copa America, Serie, U.S, ”, Iran, men’s, U.S . Soccer Federation Locations: AUSTIN, Texas, Guadalajara, U.S, Paris, American, Austin, ” Panama, Mexican

Here’s the latest:• Gas stations still waiting for fuel: Just under 30% of the state’s gas stations have no fuel as of early Sunday, according to the monitoring website GasBuddy.com. In the hard-hit Tampa-St. Petersburg area, more than three quarters of stations, 77%, are out of gas. Some people told CNN they’ve had to use word of mouth to find out which stations have gas. Paula Cast told CNN her family visited four or five different gas stations Friday, but everything was closed. Then on Saturday, they got a call from one of their friends saying a Wawa station had gas.

Persons: Joe Biden, Ft ., Kevin Guthrie, Ron DeSantis, Crews, ”, Mike Jefferis, •, Biden, Hurricane Milton ”, Milton, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, ” Chronister, they’d, Chronister, CNN they’ve, Paula Cast, we’ve, CNN’s Sam Fossum Organizations: CNN, White House, • Gas, state’s Division, Emergency Management, Patrol, ”, FEMA, Hurricane, Hillsborough County Sheriff, National Weather Service, Hillsborough Locations: Milton, Florida, St, Petersburg, Tampa, Sarasota, Ft, Ft . Myers, Naples, Orlando, state’s, Plant City, Bradenton, Charlotte, Pinellas, Hillsborough, • St, Hillsborough County, Tampa Bay, Hillsborough , Sarasota, Manatee, Lithia , Florida, Valrico, Oldsmar, Pinellas County ., Wawa, Valrico , Florida

He’s lived through many storms in his 30 years on Longboat Key, but Bob Parrish said he’s never before seen the level of destruction that Hurricane Helene blew into town a little more than two weeks ago. It also brought a double whammy of destruction from two major hurricanes to a string of islands and their residents who were still rebuilding from Hurricane Ian in 2022. Honestly, I only cried a little bit after Milton because I cried so much after Helene. Even before Helene and Milton brought the one-two punch, Rodocker was still reeling from Hurricane Debby’s path of destruction in August. “It was like a right, a left and an undercut.”Marco Island, seen here on Sept. 26, was badly flooded by Hurricane Helene.

Persons: He’s, Bob Parrish, he’s, Helene, Milton —, Mary, what’s, “ We’ve, ” Parrish, ”, Angela Rodocker, Anna Maria Island, “, ” David Farrar, everybody’s, Farrar, Milton, ” Rodocker, Maria Island, Rodocker, Marco, Hurricane Helene, Scott Schilke, Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, ” Chappie, Chappie, Mike Norman, Norman, ” Amy Ace Lance, Hurricane Milton, Thomas Simonetti, John Lai, ” Lai, Ian, Rod Nibert, Parrish —, cancer —, Parrish Organizations: NBC, Island Estates, Silver Resorts, AP Residents, Bradenton Beach Mayor, Florida Department of Transportation, Bradenton Beach, Hurricane, Washington, Getty Locations: Lakeland, Sarasota, Hurricane, Island, Clearwater, Bradenton Beach, “, ”, Sanibel, Cape Coral, Charlotte County, Orlando

☆ Flooded roads, worried passengers, and no income: Florida Uber and Lyft drivers share their experiences on the road before and after Hurricane Milton
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-12 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Uber and Lyft drivers in Florida saw gas shortages and obstructed roads before and after Milton. After making landfall in Florida, Hurricane Milton caused at least 14 deaths and left millions without power. In the days preceding the storm, some Uber and Lyft drivers went from transporting beachgoers to helping residents flee their communities — before eventually fleeing themselves. Related storiesTrent T., 50, drives independently for his own transportation company and for Uber and Lyft in South Florida. Are you an Uber or Lyft driver in a hurricane-impacted area who's willing to share your story?

Persons: Milton, —, Sergey, Hurricane Helene, Florida , Hurricane Milton, Hurricane Milton, Uber, Fort, Lyft, Trent, Blaine, Yvonne, Charles P, Orlando —, I'm, Charles Organizations: Service, BI, Hurricane, Florida Division, Emergency Management, Tampa, Drivers, jzinkula Locations: Florida, St . Petersburg , Florida, Hurricane, Florida , Hurricane, St . Petersburg, Clearwater, Orlando, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Tampa Bay, South Florida, Milton, Tampa, Ocala —, Savannah , Georgia, Titusville —

County election officials in Florida, meanwhile, are facing a potential new challenge after Hurricane Milton made landfall on its western coast late Wednesday. Other county election offices in the state similarly said this week that that they would perform fresh assessments of their election infrastructure following Milton. Chris O'Meara/AP David Jalving throws outdoor furniture into his father's pool in Fort Myers to prepare for Hurricane Milton. Marta Lavandier/AP A man in Progreso boards up an apartment building to protect it from Hurricane Milton on Monday. “We should have the most poll workers we’ve ever had here in Oconee County,” said Ryan Nowland, assistant director of Oconee County elections.

Persons: Hurricane Helene, “ I’ve, ”, Mary Beth Tipton, “ We’ve, ” Tipton, Yancey County, Hurricane Milton, “, ” Brian Corley, Milton, Robert Inman, Inman, Cliff Marr, Marr, ” Marr, Helene, Karen Brinson Bell, Bell, Corinne Duncan, Duncan, ” Duncan, Christopher Heath, Ron DeSantis, Corley, Bill Nye, CNN Kari Ewalt, Osceola, ” Ewalt, they’re, Conway Belangia, I’ve, Belangia, Connie Gore, Cecelia Smith, Crystal Vander, Miguel J, Rodriguez Carrillo, Robert Turick, Turick, Rebecca Blackwell, Cristobal Herrera, Julio Cortez, Giorgio Viera, Ricardo Arduengo, Liz Kelly, Matt, Andrew West, Chandan Khanna, Nadia Zomorodian, Austin, Joe Raedle, Sean Rayford, Marta Lavandier, Jefferee Woo, Bryan R, Smith, Chris Urso, Marco Bello, Brandon Marlow, Marie Cook, Bill Ingram, Reuters Stephen Lundgren, Doug Engle, Ron Rook, Paul Hennessy, Saul Martinez, Payton Wyse, Andrew Goncharsky, Christian Burke, Lee, Connor Ferran, Fort Myers, Nicolette Mariano, Kaila Jones, Damon Higgins, Ted Carlson, McKenzie, Evan Purcell, Purcell's, Anna Maria Island, Carlson, Yamil Lage, Matthew Dominick, NASA Aurelio Ortiz, Lorenzo Hernandez, Mike Carlson, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters John Fedor, Chris O'Meara, David Jalving, Pete, Octavio Jones, Tristan Wheelock, Gerald, Martin Zetina, Gregg Newton, ” Belangia, we’ve, Ryan Nowland, “ We’re, everyone’s Organizations: CNN, Trump, Hurricane, “ Communications, Republican, Republican Gov, Voters, Osceola County’s, South, USA, AFP, Getty, AP, Daytona, Network, Reuters, Bradenton, Tropicana, Major League, Tampa Bay Rays, Celtic Ray Public, Tampa Bay Times, NOAA, Vanguard, School, Ocala, Orlando International Airport, Anadolu, Disney, Fort, Palm Beach Daily, Florida Army National Guard, Tampa General Hospital, NASA, International, Milton, Tampa International Airport, Bloomberg, AP Contractors, New Port Richey, AP Tropicana Locations: Carolina, Hurricane, North Carolina’s Yancey County, Yancey, Florida, Florida’s Pasco County, North Carolina, North Carolina’s, Haywood County, North Carolina’s Polk County, ”, Buncombe County, Asheville, Covid, Orange County, Milton, Pasco County, South Carolina, Greenville County, ” County, Martin County , Florida, Port St Lucie , Florida, Englewood , Florida, Manasota Key, Hurricane Milton, Venice , Florida, Riverview , Florida, Lakewood Park , Florida, Siesta Key, Punta Gorda , Florida, North Fort Myers , Florida, Siesta, Volusia, South Daytona , Florida, Bradenton Beach, St . Petersburg, Punta Gorda, Odessa , Florida, Venice, Matlacha , Florida, Palmetto Beach, Tampa, Bradenton , Florida, St . Petersburg , Florida, Clearwater, AFP, Sarasota , Florida, Segundo, Davis, Fort Myers , Florida, Wellington , Florida, Palm, Ocala , Florida, County, Wellington, Orlando, Gulfport , Florida, Lee County, Fort Myers, Sebastian , Florida, Palm Beach , Florida, Palm Beach, Havana, Cuba, Celestún, Mexico, Port Richey , Florida, Tampa Bay, Treasure Island , Florida, St, Pete Beach , Florida, Treasure, Fort Myers Beach, Progreso, New Port, Kissimmee , Florida, Pickens County, Oconee County, Oconee

Florida communities grapple with destruction after Hurricane Milton. And Barack Obama talks about “real strength” at a rally for Kamala Harris. Florida embarks on road to recovery after MiltonAt least 16 people have been confirmed dead in Florida after tornadoes touched down and Hurricane Milton slammed into the state this week, leaving a trail of damage and devastation. Milton was the fifth hurricane to hit Florida’s barrier islands in two years, but steadfast residents say living there is worth the risk. More Hurricane Milton coverage:1 dead, 23 rescued after Colorado tourist mine malfunctionAt least one person is dead after an elevator equipment malfunction at a tourist mine in Colorado.

Persons: Hurricane Milton, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Milton, ” Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers, Kathleen Mine, Fisher, Price, Price Snuga, Richard Trumka Jr, “, ”, Obama, Trump, Harris, I’ve, Tim Walz, Read, ➡️ Harris, Howard Stern, Joy Behar, Stephen Colbert, Harris sidestepped, Joe Biden, ➡️, ➡️ Trump, Russian Vladimir Putin, Putin, Angela Alsobrooks, Larry Hogan, — Richie Duchon, Elizabeth Robinson Organizations: Hurricane, The Clearwater Police Department, Coast Guard, ”, ” Fort Myers, ” Fort Myers Beach Mayor, Tampa International, Disney, Universal Studios, Hurricane Milton, U.S . Consumer Product Safety, Fisher, Minnesota Gov, ➡️, Univision, White, Trump, Republican, NBC, Getty, Hurricanes Locations: Florida, Hurricane, Clearwater, Gulf of Mexico, ” Fort, ” Fort Myers Beach, Sarasota, Orlando, Colorado, Teller County, Denver, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Detroit, Russian, York, Maryland

☆ Home prices are down as much as 12% in boomtowns in Florida, Texas, and other popular states
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Metros in Florida, Texas, and other states are seeing prices fall by as much as 12%, per Realtor.com. Miami, FloridaPedro Portal/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesMedian list price: $525,000Change from last year: -12.4%2. Orlando, FloridaSmithlandia Media/Getty ImagesMedian list price: $429,950Change from last year: -5.6%Advertisement9. Tampa, FloridaJohn Coletti/Getty ImagesMedian list price: $414,948Change from last year: -5.5%10. Nashville, TennesseeJohn Coletti/Getty ImagesMedian list price: $547,865Change from last year: -5.4%

Persons: —, Miami , Florida Pedro, Swapan Jha, San Francisco , California Nicholas Klein, Kansas City , Missouri Edwin Remsberg, Austin , Texas RYAN KYTE, Jacksonville , Florida Dan Reynolds, Tampa , Florida John Coletti, Nashville , Tennessee John Coletti Organizations: Metros, Service, metros, Miami Herald, Tribune, Getty, Kansas, Orlando , Florida Smithlandia Locations: Florida , Texas, Realtor.com, Florida, Texas, Miami , Florida, Cincinnati , Ohio, San Francisco , California, Kansas City , Missouri, Austin ,, Jacksonville , Florida, Denver , Colorado, Orlando , Florida, Tampa , Florida, Nashville , Tennessee

☆ I inherited my parents' small business even though I didn't want it. I vowed not to do the same thing to my son.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Chris Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. The family worked for years to establish their business. After 34 years, the family business had to leave its once permanent home. I kept my parents' dreams alive for a long time and kept them from being destitute and homeless. My folks wanted their legacy to live on with me at the helm.

Persons: —, grandpa, Knott's, I've, Jack Organizations: Service, Guinness, World Records, Orlando, Disney Locations: Buena Park , California, San Francisco , Louisville, Miami, Knott's

Sean Rayford/Getty Images Cars move slowly through Matlacha, Florida, on Thursday after Hurricane Milton damaged power lines. Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times/AP A satellite image captures Hurricane Milton reaching the coast of Florida on Wednesday, October 9. Chris O'Meara/AP David Jalving throws outdoor furniture into his father's pool in Fort Myers to prepare for Hurricane Milton. Marta Lavandier/AP A man in Progreso boards up an apartment building to protect it from Hurricane Milton on Monday. “Many areas in the county have incurred severe property damage because of back-to-back impacts from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton,” Pinellas County Consumer Protection said in a public advisory Thursday.

Persons: Milton, Floridians, ”, Ron DeSantis, Walt, Aquatica, Connie Gore, Cecelia Smith, Hurricane Milton, Crystal Vander, Miguel J, Rodriguez Carrillo, Robert Turick, Turick, Helene, Rebecca Blackwell, Cristobal Herrera, Julio Cortez, Giorgio Viera, Ricardo Arduengo, Liz Kelly, Matt, Andrew West, Chandan Khanna, Nadia Zomorodian, Austin, Joe Raedle, Sean Rayford, Marta Lavandier, Jefferee Woo, Bryan R, Smith, Chris Urso, Marco Bello, Brandon Marlow, Marie Cook, Bill Ingram, Reuters Stephen Lundgren, Doug Engle, Ron Rook, Paul Hennessy, Saul Martinez, Payton Wyse, Andrew Goncharsky, Christian Burke, Lee, Connor Ferran, Fort Myers, Nicolette Mariano, Kaila Jones, Damon Higgins, Ted Carlson, McKenzie, Evan Purcell, Purcell's, Anna Maria Island, Carlson, Hurricane Helene, Yamil Lage, Matthew Dominick, NASA Aurelio Ortiz, Lorenzo Hernandez, Mike Carlson, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters John Fedor, Chris O'Meara, David Jalving, Pete, Octavio Jones, Tristan Wheelock, Gerald, Martin Zetina, Gregg Newton, ” DeSantis, “, ” Crews, Melissa Seixas, CNN’s Kate Bolduan, Joe Biden, Deanne Criswell, ” Criswell, Hurricane, it’s, CNN’s Andy Rose Organizations: CNN, St, Daytona, Tampa International, Sarasota Bradenton International, Coast Guard, Walt Disney, SeaWorld, USA, AFP, Getty, AP, Hurricane, Network, Reuters, Bradenton, Tropicana, Major League, Tampa Bay Rays, Celtic Ray Public, Tampa Bay Times, NOAA, Vanguard, School, Ocala, Orlando International Airport, Anadolu, Disney, Fort, Palm Beach Daily, Florida Army National Guard, Tampa General Hospital, NASA, International, Milton, Tampa International Airport, Bloomberg, AP Contractors, New Port Richey, AP Tropicana, Duke Energy, Pinellas County Consumer Protection, “, Government, FEMA, Cross Locations: Florida, Tampa, Hillsborough, Lithia, Clearwater, Johns, Orlando, Sanibel , Florida, St, Petersburg, Georgia, South Carolina, Aquatica Orlando, Discovery Cove, SeaWorld Orlando, Martin County , Florida, Port St Lucie , Florida, Hurricane, Englewood , Florida, Manasota Key, Hurricane Milton, Venice , Florida, Riverview , Florida, Lakewood Park , Florida, Siesta Key, Punta Gorda , Florida, North Fort Myers , Florida, Siesta, Volusia, South Daytona , Florida, Bradenton Beach, Milton, St . Petersburg, Punta Gorda, Odessa , Florida, Venice, Matlacha , Florida, Palmetto Beach, Bradenton , Florida, St . Petersburg , Florida, AFP, Sarasota , Florida, Segundo, Davis, Fort Myers , Florida, Wellington , Florida, Palm, Ocala , Florida, County, Wellington, Gulfport , Florida, Lee County, Fort Myers, Sebastian , Florida, Palm Beach , Florida, Palm Beach, Havana, Cuba, Celestún, Mexico, Port Richey , Florida, Tampa Bay, Treasure Island , Florida, Pete Beach , Florida, Treasure, Fort Myers Beach, Progreso, New Port, Kissimmee , Florida, Melissa Seixas , Florida, Pinellas County, Georgia , Tennessee, Carolinas

☆ Florida’s home insurer of last resort is in serious trouble. Will Milton put it over the edge?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Flood waters inundated a neighborhood after Hurricane Milton came ashore on October 10 in Punta Gorda, Florida. Andrew West/The News-Press/USA Today Network/Imagn Images A vehicle drives though a flooded street after Hurricane Milton in Siesta Key on Thursday. Rebecca Blackwell/AP The roof of Tropicana Field, destroyed by Hurricane Milton, is seen in St. Petersburg on Thursday. Chris O'Meara/AP David Jalving throws outdoor furniture into his father's pool in Fort Myers to prepare for Hurricane Milton. Marta Lavandier/AP A man in Progreso boards up an apartment building to protect it from Hurricane Milton on Monday.

Persons: Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, Ron DeSantis, Joe Raedle, Milton, Helene, ” Mark Friedlander, ”, ’, Hurricane Ian, Giorgio Viera, Rebecca Blackwell, Ricardo Arduengo, Liz Kelly, Matt, Andrew West, Chandan Khanna, Nadia Zomorodian, Julio Cortez, Austin, Sean Rayford, Marta Lavandier, Jefferee Woo, Cristobal Herrera, Bryan R, Smith, Chris Urso, Marco Bello, Brandon Marlow, Marie Cook, Bill Ingram, Reuters Stephen Lundgren, Doug Engle, Ron Rook, Paul Hennessy, Saul Martinez, Payton Wyse, Andrew Goncharsky, Christian Burke, Lee, Connor Ferran, Fort Myers, Nicolette Mariano, Kaila Jones, Damon Higgins, Ted Carlson, McKenzie, Evan Purcell, Purcell's, Anna Maria Island, Carlson, Yamil Lage, Matthew Dominick, NASA Aurelio Ortiz, Lorenzo Hernandez, Mike Carlson, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters John Fedor, Chris O'Meara, David Jalving, Pete, Octavio Jones, Tristan Wheelock, Gerald, Martin Zetina, Gregg Newton, Floridians ’, Denise Rappmund, Rappmund, Bobby Atwood, Atwood, won’t, isn’t Organizations: New, New York CNN, Property Insurance Corp, Citizens, Dade, “, Insurance Information Institute, CNN, DeSantis, Republican, CNBC, Hurricane, Getty, AP, USA, Daytona, Network, Reuters, Bradenton, Tropicana, Major League, Tampa Bay Rays, Celtic Ray Public, Tampa Bay Times, NOAA, Vanguard, School, Ocala, Orlando International Airport, Anadolu, Disney, Fort, Palm Beach Daily, Florida Army National Guard, Tampa General Hospital, NASA, International, Milton, Tampa International Airport, Bloomberg, AP Contractors, New Port Richey, AP Tropicana, Moody’s Investors Service Locations: New York, Florida, Miami, Monroe, Hurricane, Punta Gorda , Florida, Central Florida, Lakewood Park , Florida, Siesta Key, North Fort Myers , Florida, Siesta, Volusia, South Daytona , Florida, Bradenton Beach, St . Petersburg, Punta Gorda, Odessa , Florida, Venice , Florida, Matlacha , Florida, Palmetto Beach, Tampa, Bradenton , Florida, Venice, St . Petersburg , Florida, Clearwater, AFP, Sarasota , Florida, Segundo, Davis, Fort Myers , Florida, Wellington , Florida, Palm, Ocala , Florida, County, Wellington, Orlando, Gulfport , Florida, Lee County, Fort Myers, Sebastian , Florida, Palm Beach , Florida, Palm Beach, Havana, Cuba, Celestún, Mexico, Port Richey , Florida, Tampa Bay, Treasure Island , Florida, St, Pete Beach , Florida, Treasure, Fort Myers Beach, Progreso, New Port, Kissimmee , Florida, Milton

☆ Disney World employees felt pressured to stay and work despite forecasts of looming tornadoes and flash floods in the hours leading up to Hurricane Milton
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Multiple Disney World employees told BI about their disappointment with how the company handled Milton. The Walt Disney World Resort was still open for business. AdvertisementIn a statement, a Walt Disney World spokesperson said the company prioritizes the well-being of those on park grounds. At Disney World, workers' minimum wage starts at $18 an hour. With 80,000 staffers, the Disney World Resort is one of the largest single-site employers in the United States.

Persons: Cash, —, Milton, Goldman Sachs, they'd, Reed Alexander Organizations: Disney, Milton, Service, Orlando, Sunshine State, Walt Disney, Workers, Hollywood Studios, Animal, Magic, Magic Kingdom, Disney World, BI, Wilderness Locations: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Orange County, Central Florida, Florida, Saratoga, Orlando, United States

The windows burst during the storm, flooding the home with 2 to 3 feet of water, De Leon recalled. After Maria hit, when they left the house to assess the damage, they saw that some of their neighbors hadn't survived the hurricane. Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday near Siesta Key, Florida, a barrier island next to Sarasota. Figueroa was one of more than 100,000 Puerto Ricans who left Puerto Rico during Maria's aftermath. "Hurricane Maria changed our lives and I think that we will never underestimate any hurricane or natural disaster," Aponte Feliciano said in Spanish.

Persons: Hurricane Maria, Cecilia Rosa De Leon, Maria, De Leon, hadn't, Milton, ”, Shailier Figueroa, pantries, Figueroa, Jesús Eduardo Aponte Feliciano, Aponte Feliciano Organizations: Hurricane, Harvard University, Sarasota ., Puerto Ricans Locations: Puerto, Florida, Milton, Orlando, Apopka, seeping, Puerto Rico, Canóvanas, that's, U.S, United States, Siesta Key, Sarasota, Kissimmee, Philadelphia, Georgia

Hurricane Milton has exploded into a monster storm as it soaks up its natural fuel, warm water, in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center had warned that Milton was likely to strengthen into a major hurricane, defined by minimum sustained winds of 111 mph, and its status was confirmed at 8 a.m. Monday. Up to 8 inches of rain was forecast, with storm surges of up to 15 feet possible for coastal cities, they said. The latest hurricane is a rare product of the southwest Gulf of Mexico, rather than the Caribbean or the Atlantic. Milton started as Tropical Depression 14, in the Gulf’s Bay of Campeche, sheltered behind the western coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

Persons: Milton, Hurricane Helene Organizations: Milton, National Hurricane Center, NHC, NBC Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Florida, St . Petersburg, Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, Daytona Beach , Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, Southeastern, Hurricane, Florida’s Big Bend, Mexico, Caribbean, Gulf’s, Campeche, Mexico’s Yucatán

☆ Florida's gas stations are running out of fuel and Hurricane Milton could have lasting impacts on the state's supply
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Florida gas stations are running out of fuel ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall. If the storm damages Port Tampa Bay, it could mean long-term trouble for the gas supply chain. AdvertisementA day before Hurricane Milton was expected to make landfall, gas stations in Florida were already running out of fuel. As of 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday, more than 1 out of 5 gas stations in Florida had no gas, according to data from GasBuddy, which tracks gas prices. But lines at gas stations have been long and gas stations are running out quicker than they otherwise would."

Persons: —, Hurricane Milton, Shon Hiatt, " Hiatt, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Christopher Tang, Tang, Hiatt, Patrick DeHaan, DeHaan Organizations: Service, Hurricane, Tampa Bay, Business, Energy, University of Southern California's Marshall School, Port Tampa Bay —, Florida Gov, CNN, National Guard, GasBuddy, Coast Guard Locations: Florida, Tampa Bay, GasBuddy, Milton, Coast, Tampa, Orlando, Central Florida, Port Tampa Bay

☆ Milton’s Storm Surge Threatens Destruction in the Dark
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Orlando Mayorquín | More About Orlando Mayorquín | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Storm surge along the western Florida coast began to pick up as daylight dwindled and Hurricane Milton came ashore with its heavy rains and damaging winds, bringing the threat of major flooding. Flood gauges showed rapidly rising water levels on the coast at Fort Myers and Naples Bay shortly after Milton’s center arrived on land near Sarasota. Forecasters warned of the life threatening surge, which was expected to reach up to 13 feet in some areas, like Boca Grande on the far edges of the western coast. The term storm surge describes the dramatic, higher-than-expected rise in water levels brought on by a storm, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline,” forecasters had earlier warned.

Persons: Hurricane Milton Organizations: Hurricane, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration Locations: Florida, Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota, Boca Grande

☆ Disneyland hikes ticket prices for its highest-demand days
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Still, the company has sought to offer discounted tickets and hotel stays for those who opt to visit Disneyland during off-peak periods. Much like the airline, hotel and even concert entertainment industries, Disney's theme parks operate on a demand-based pricing model. But to handle demand, Disney has a tiered ticket system. Tier 0 is the lowest demand, the $104 base ticket price, while Tier 6 is the highest demand and will see an increase of $12 to $206 per ticket. Disney's online ticketing website for those theme parks — Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot — already reflects pricing increases for 2025, which were reported back in February.

Persons: Price, Jessica Good, Disney Organizations: Walt Disney Company, Disney, Disneyland Resort, Lightning, Walt Disney World, Hollywood Studios, Epcot Locations: California, Orlando , Florida, Magic Kingdom

☆ The undeniable crisis that’s not driving American voters
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

Eduardo Munoz/Reuters A relief group climbs up the side of a hill as they help near Bat Cave, North Carolina, on Thursday. Jeffrey Collins/AP Len Frisbee dumps a wheelbarrow of dirt as he helps with cleanup in Hot Springs, North Carolina, on Tuesday. Gerald Herbert/AP Meta Gatschenberger surveys the remains of her collapsed house in Boone, North Carolina, on Saturday, September 28. Jonathan Drake/Reuters Floodwaters are seen in Asheville in this image released by the North Carolina Department of Transportation on Saturday. Marco Bello/Reuters In pictures: Hurricane Helene unleashes its fury Prev NextBut Vance’s remedy to the so-called weird weather is counterintuitive.

Persons: Helene, Donald Trump’s, Kamala Harris, Republican leaners, Democratic leaners, SSRS, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Trump, ”, Greene, ‘, Ohio Sen, JD Vance, Trump’s, Vance, Martika Stansell, Jonathan Drake, Erik S, Eduardo Munoz, Sean Rayford, Allison Joyce, Mike Stewart, Emily Ogburn, Cody Klein, Melissa Sue Gerrits, Sam Soughail, Van Hutchins, Dennis Rector, Josh Morgan, Andy Brown, Jeffrey Collins, Len Frisbee, Jeff Roberson, Christian Monterrosa, Marco Bello, Reuters Linda Bandy, Carissa Sheehan, Kathy Kmonicek, Janice Whitley, Terry Wilson, Melinda, Kathleen Flynn, Paul Hennessy, Gerald Herbert, Elmira Glover, Joe Raedle, John Falchetto, Cassandra Randall, Jessica Downey, Greg Lovett, Hurricane Helene, Hailey Morgan, Phelan M, Megan Varner, Sarah Cribbins, Michael, Luis Santana, Miguel J, Rodriguez Carrillo, Richard Burkhart, Mike Carlson, Candice Ocvil, Jibri Tolen, Cristobal Herrera, Candace Redwine, Guy Ford, George G, Tapper, Ricardo Arduengo, Joe Burbank, Carol Poulson, Andrew West, Cynthia Centeno, Reuters Charles Starling, Stephen M, Dowell, Chandan Khanna, Thomas Simonetti, Pete Beach, Ramon Espinosa, Paola Chiomante, Tim Walz, Harris ’, fracking Harris, Harris, CNN’s Dana Bash Organizations: CNN, Gallup, Republican, Democratic, Republicans, Terrorism, Democrats, Health, Reuters Helicopters, Reuters, Getty, Homes, AP, & Sons Department, USA, New York Times, Anadolu, Workers, North Carolina Department of Transportation, . North Carolina Department of Transportation, Tampa Bay Times, AFP, East, Savannah Morning, United States Coast Guard, Walt Disney, Orlando Sentinel, Tribune, Service, Fairview Middle School, Fishel, State Emergency Operations Center, Washington Post, NOAA, Minnesota Gov, Trump Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Milton, US, Georgia, Alabama, Helene, Ohio, Canton , North Carolina, Swannanoa , North Carolina, Cruso , North Carolina, Swannanoa, Bat Cave , North Carolina, Bills, , North Carolina, AFP, Lake Lure , North Carolina, Rock , North Carolina, Barnardsville , North Carolina, Lure, Asheville , North Carolina, Marshall , North Carolina, Augusta , Georgia, Springs , North Carolina, North Carolina, Bat Cave, Morganton , North Carolina, Old Fort, Fletcher , North Carolina, Steinhatchee , Florida, Tampa , Florida, Steinhatchee, Boone , North Carolina, Asheville, ., Treasure Island , Florida, Horseshoe Beach , Florida, Boone, Valdosta , Georgia, Horseshoe Beach, Laurel, Vilas , North Carolina, Crystal River , Florida, Hurricane, Crystal River, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, , Florida, Savannah , Georgia, Savannah, Shore, St . Petersburg , Florida, Key , Florida, Tarpon Springs , Florida, Watauga, Sugar Grove , North Carolina, Florida, Port Saint Joe , Florida, Bay Lake , Florida, St . Petersburg, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Tallahassee, Leon County , Florida, Eastpoint , Florida, Villages, Tallahassee , Florida, Gulfport , Florida, St, Cross City , Florida, Guanimar, Cuba, Panacea , Florida, Puerto Juarez, Mexico, Clearwater , Florida, Pennsylvania

☆ Airlines are waiving cancellation fees and capping fares for Florida travelers during Hurricane Milton
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Major airlines said they were waiving change fees due to Hurricane Milton's impact on Florida. AdvertisementAs the travel industry prepares for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday, major airlines are offering to waive cancellation fees for travelers whose plans could be impacted. Four of the biggest airlines — United, American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest — said they are offering passengers options to cancel or reschedule their flights without penalty. The airline said it was waiving change fees for customers who were scheduled to fly through 12 Florida airports from October 8 through 10. DeltaDelta said it was waiving fare differences for passengers who planned to travel through nine Florida airports from October 7 to 10.

Persons: —, Hurricane Milton, Southwest —, Pete Buttigieg, United, Delta Organizations: Service, Hurricane, — United, American Airlines, Transportation, United, Florida, . American Airlines American, Delta, Southwest Locations: Florida, United, Southwest, Delta, Milton, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Fort Myers, Sarasota

☆ I'm waiting out Hurricane Milton in a Universal Studios hotel with my daughters. We're not scared.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Allison Gilgenbach checked into a Florida hotel at Universal Studios ahead of Hurricane Milton. After we entered our hotel room at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, my daughters, Reagan, 11, and Ryann, 8, and I looked for the nearest exits and flights of stairs. The last time Reagan checked the weather app, Hurricane Milton was predicted to hit central Florida around 5 a.m. Thursday. AdvertisementGilgenbach and her daughters pictured before Universal Studios was closed due to the threat of Hurricane Milton. AdvertisementAre you in the path of Hurricane Milton and would like to share your story with Business Insider?

Persons: Allison Gilgenbach, —, Reagan, Hurricane Milton, it's, Gilgenbach, We'd, Harry Potter, we've, We've, They've, they've, Milton Organizations: Universal Studios, Service, Universal Orlando, Hurricane, Universal, Business Locations: Florida, Hurricane Milton, Cleveland, Tampa, Ohio

☆ Cybertruck owners share their likes and dislikes as Tesla's pickup approaches its first birthday
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Business Insider interviewed 10 Cybertruck owners to hear what they thought of the vehicle. Business Insider spoke to 10 Cybertruck owners about their experience with the EV and the most notable parts of owning it. Several also owners told BI that the company could improve its customer support — whether it was being more transparent about delays or communicating updates. Cybertruck owners feel like celebrities — but you might get the finger while drivingWhile it doesn't happen often, getting flipped off seems to be a right of passage of sorts for most Cybertruck owners. Most of the interactions tend to be positive though, many of the owners told BI.

Persons: Tesla, —, It's, Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, Elon, Anthony Ardizzone, Royce —, Ardizzone, Jeremy Judkins, Lamar, Tommy Huynh, Austin, Stephen Kapusta, Jason Burtman, Jay O'Brien, he's, Joe Fay, Cybertruck, Getty, John Keeble Charlie Redmond, he's Elon Musk's, Lamar MK, O'Brien, Kapusta Organizations: Business, Service, EV, Honda, Royce, Getty, BI, Orlando Locations: Jupiter , Florida, North Carolina, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania, Kansas City , Missouri, Austin, Piermont , New York

☆ Why some Florida residents aren’t evacuating ahead of Hurricane Milton
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Paul P. Murphy | Michelle Krupa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Traffic flows east Tuesday along Interstate 4 as residents continue to follow evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Milton. A motorist drives past broken utility poles downed by strong wind gusts as Hurricane Milton approaches Fort Myers, Florida, on Wednesday, October 9. Chris O'Meara/AP David Jalving throws outdoor furniture into his father's pool in Fort Myers to prepare for Hurricane Milton. Julio Cortez/AP A man clears debris left by Hurricane Helene from his home in Treasure Island, Florida, on Monday. Marta Lavandier/AP A man in Progreso boards up an apartment building to protect it from Hurricane Milton on Monday.

Persons: Vivienne Marran, ”, Hurricane Milton, Marran, Helene, they’ve, we’ve, “ I’ve, ” Marran, Helene –, “, Holly Speckhart, Julio Cortez, ‘, Jane Castor, you’re, ” Speckhart, Ian – Bridgit, Budd, Milton, Fort, Ricardo Arduengo, Connor Ferran, Fort Myers, Joe Raedle, Paul Hennessy, Saul Martinez, Stephen Lundgren, Doug Engle, Payton Wyse, Andrew Goncharsky, Lee, Nicolette Mariano, Kaila Jones, Yamil Lage, Damon Higgins, Ted Carlson, McKenzie, Evan Purcell, Purcell's, Anna Maria Island, Carlson, Rebecca Blackwell, Hurricane Helene, Bryan R, Smith, Matthew Dominick, NASA Aurelio Ortiz, Lorenzo Hernandez, Mike Carlson, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters John Fedor, Chris O'Meara, David Jalving, Marta Lavandier, Pete, Octavio Jones, Tristan Wheelock, Gerald, Martin Zetina, Gregg Newton, ” Anna Maria Island, William Tokajer, ” Tokajer, “ We’ve, we’ll, “ we’ve, I’ve, We’ve, who’d, –, “ you’ve, ” CNN’s Mary Gilbert, Rebekah Riess, Andy Rose, John Berman Organizations: Sol , Florida CNN, CNN, Hurricane, Tampa Bay, ” Tampa Fire Rescue’s, Milton, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Mayor, Orlando International Airport, Anadolu, Getty, Disney, Vanguard, School, Ocala, USA, Fort, Palm Beach Daily, Florida Army National Guard, Bradenton, Tampa General Hospital, NASA, International, Reuters, AP, Tampa International Airport, Bloomberg, AP Contractors, New Port Richey, AP Tropicana, Holmes Beach Police, Social, Isla del, Sunshine Skyway Locations: Sol , Florida, St . Petersburg, Gulf, Mexico, Tampa, Milton, ” Tampa, Hurricane, Ohio, Cincinnati, Sanibel, Fort Myers , Florida, Orlando, Ocala , Florida, Lee County, Fort Myers, Sebastian , Florida, Havana, Cuba, AFP, Palm Beach, Bradenton Beach, Tampa , Florida, Celestún, Port Richey , Florida, Tampa Bay, Treasure Island , Florida, St, Pete Beach , Florida, Fort Myers Beach, Progreso, New Port, St . Petersburg , Florida, Kissimmee , Florida, Florida, Isla, Isla del Sol, Holmes Beach

Search resuls for: "Orlando"

25 mentions found