Updated Florida Travel Reports - Hurricane Wilma

With its sandy beaches, crystal blue waters, family attractions, amazing nature filled parks and lazy rivers, Florida is an ideal destination for a vacation or to call home.

However, just as nature creates warm breezes and waves, it can also create high winds and rains. This site serves as your travel resource when considering a Florida vacation. Floridians have learned to prepare for these rare storms and respect their strength. Safety is the state's primary concern for both visitors and residents.

Hurricane Wilma - Florida Updates

Below, you will find updated information and links from destinations throughout Florida and many of the attractions and hotels in the state following Hurricane Wilma.

Nov. 6, 2005 - Despite Wilma's best efforts, there's no keeping a great town down…especially when incredible food and wine are involved! As testament to that fact, the White Truffle Event culinary celebration begins next Thursday, November 10, at the Bellasera Hotel, and continues through the weekend as Naples' first big post-hurricane event...[ More ]

Nov. 1, 2005 - With the flexibility and resilience characteristic of Florida Keys residents, event organizers throughout the island chain are back at work on special events following the passage of Hurricane Wilma...[ More ]

Nov. 1, 2005 - The Fort Lauderdale area is getting back to business and pleasure as clean up and power restoration continues...[ More ]

Nov. 1, 2005 - Fort Myers Beach will come alive with creations of natural beauty made from sand and water when the 19th Annual American Sandsculpting Championship Festival takes place Wednesday, November 9th thru Sunday, November 13th, 2005…[ More ]

Oct. 28, 2005 - The Fort Lauderdale area continues to recover following Hurricane Wilma…[ More ]

Oct. 27, 2005 - Hawk's Cay Resort, located in the heart of the Florida Keys, suffered no structural damage from Hurricane Wilma. The impact of the storm only caused damage to foliage and tree limbs. In addition, power has been restored. The resort will begin welcoming guests again on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 4:00 p.m. The resort will be fully operational Friday, Oct. 28, and visitors can take advantage of the resort's packages, amenities and activities...[ More ]

Oct. 27, 2005 - The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau reports that the tourism infrastructure in Collier County is recovering quickly from Hurricane Wilma with many hotels and attractions already open or with plans to open by this weekend. All area beaches are open with only minimal erosion impacts. For more information on the destination visit www.ParadiseCoast.com or call the storm update hotline at 1-800-785-8252...[ More ]

Oct. 27, 2005 - The Florida Keys are slated to reopen to visitors Friday, after tourists were evacuated more than a week ago due to Hurricane Wilma. Also, Fantasy Fest has been rescheduled for Dec. 7 - Dec. 10...[ More ]

Oct. 26, 2005 - Florida Keys tourism and government officials are to meet Wednesday to decide when visitors can return to the Keys. Key West Fantasy Fest officials are to meet Wednesday to determine a new start date for the annual masking and costuming celebration...[ More ]

Oct. 26, 2005 - The 46th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Opening Day has been rescheduled. The show will now be held for four days beginning Nov. 3.

Oct. 26, 2005 - With the sun shining once again, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel have instituted immediate recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma and are once again welcoming visitors...[ More ]

Oct. 25, 2005 - Until power and water have been restored....90% of hotels in the Fort Lauderdale area will remain non-operational. Currently 97% of Broward County is without power.
For more information visit www.sunny.org.

Oct. 25, 2005 - The Central Florida area is no longer under any watches or warnings. All Orlando area theme parks and attractions will be open Tuesday normal operating hours. Activities at the Orange County Convention Center will take place as scheduled.

Oct. 25, 2005 - Along the beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Island, the Southwest Florida International Airport has reopened for business and flights have resumed as of 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 25. While there are some downed trees and damaged signage, no major structural damage has been reported in the area…[ More ]

Oct. 25, 2005 - The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area did not receive any impact from Hurricane Wilma. All accommodations, attractions, beaches and restaurants in the area are open, and many of the area's accommodations have rooms available…[ More ]

Oct. 25, 2005 - The Miami International Airport remains closed. Officials are still assessing the damage. Authorities hope to resume flights Wednesday; however travelers are advised to call their airlines. The Port of Miami is also closed. Cruise passengers are also being advised to call the cruise lines…[ More ]

Oct. 25, 2005 - The 46th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Opening Day has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 29. The show will run through Tuesday, November 1. For updates, call 954-527-9332 or visit www.showmanagement.com.

Oct. 25, 2005 - The Fort Lauderdale International Airport remains closed at this time. Travelers are advised to call their airlines. The Coast Guard expects to begin a survey of the waterways at daylight on Tuesday and anticipates that Port Everglades may open later on Tuesday. Cruise passengers are being advised to call their cruise lines...[ More ]

Oct. 25, 2005 - Palm Beach International Airport will resume a limited flight schedule Tuesday. Passengers are advised to call their airlines.

Oct. 24, 2005 - Resorts along the Paradise Coast of Naples, Marco Island, and the Everglades are already making plans to reopen - many as soon as later this week - following a direct hit by category three hurricane Wilma...[ More ]

Oct. 24, 2005 - Hurricane Wilma has passed by the Central Florida area and has exited the state. Here is information on attraction openings and closures...[ More ]

Oct. 24, 2005 - Initial assessment of Sarasota County hotels indicates no damage, hotels are operating. Area attractions are closed Monday and all are expected to reopen on Tuesday. All barrier islands are open...[ More ]

Oct. 24, 2005 - Because of Hurricane Wilma, vacationers with immediate plans to travel to the Florida Keys must postpone their vacations until the risk has passed and officials announce the destination is ready to accommodate visitors...[ More ]

Oct. 24, 2005 - Hawk's Cay Resort, located in the heart of the Florida Keys, suffered no structural damage from Hurricane Wilma. The impact of the storm was minimal, causing only minor damage to foliage and tree limbs. The resort will resume operations and begin accepting arrivals once officials end the evacuation order. For questions regarding your reservations, please call our Reservations Department at 800-432-2242.

Oct. 24, 2005 - The last flight to depart out of Miami International Airport was before 1 a.m., 10/24/2005; Airlines are not expected to resume operations out of MIA until late afternoon Monday. Travelers should call their airlines for more information. The Port of Miami is currently closed to all inbound and outbound traffic...[ More ]

Oct. 24, 2005 - Weather conditions in the Fort Lauderdale area should begin to improve in the late afternoon today. Rapid assessment impact teams will be deployed to assess damage in Broward County as soon as weather conditions permit. The Coast Guard expects to begin a survey of the waterways at daylight on Tuesday and anticipates that Port Everglades would open later on Tuesday...[ More ]

Oct. 24, 2005 - Hurricane Wilma's impact, and updates on the openings and closures of Central Florida attractions for Monday, Oct. 24...[ More ]

Oct. 24, 2005 - The last flight to depart out of Miami International Airport was before 1 a.m., 10/24/2005; Airlines are not expected to resume operations out of MIA until late afternoon Monday. Travelers should call their airlines for more information...[ More ]

The Florida Attractions Association offers contact information and updates on attractions opening and closures throughout Florida...[ More ]

The Pensacola Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau offers travelers and evacuees updated information regarding accommodations in the Pensacola area...[ More ]

Visit Florida, the state's official tourism promotion corporation, offers news and information regarding Hurricane Wilma...[ More ]

The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau has opened a toll-free hotline for visitor and tourist-related accommodations information. The number is 1-888-231-6018. The hotline will be staffed 24 hours a day and staff will provide status information and answer tourism-related questions regarding accommodations for current and potential visitors to The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel.