(CNN) – Several Florida airports and theme parks halted operations Wednesday and about 2,000 flights were canceled as Tropical Storm Nicole moved toward Florida’s east coast.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) said on Twitter It will cease trading on Wednesday at 4:00 PM ET.
The airport said it is tying down jet bridges and covering equipment at ticket counters in preparation for the storm and communicating with emergency management officials.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) is scheduled to close on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. the airport tweeted. and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) published which will close on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
“Please do not arrive at the airport. The airport is not an authorized shelter,” Orlando Sanford Airport tweeted.
Walt Disney World parks in Orlando planned staggered closures beginning at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday because of the storm, with EPCOT and Magic King scheduled to be the last to close at 7 p.m. ET, according to a weather alert on Disney’s website.
Universal Orlando Resort has made a similar operational decision, with Universal Orlando Resort, including CityWalk, planning to close at 5 p.m.
Other airports were closed or affected by the storm
All flights in and out of Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) were canceled at about 11 a.m. Wednesday, according to A tweet from the airport.
Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) said on Twitter which will close at 12:30 on Wednesday. The airport said it plans to reopen at 4 a.m. on Friday
Miami International Airport (MIA) Tweet on Twitter Wednesday morning that it was open but there may be cancellations and delays from the storm.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) said several flights were delayed or canceled because of the storm. The airport and nearby airport North Perry General Aviation (HWO) remained open as of noon Wednesday, Fort Lauderdale Airport said on Twitter.
Flight cancellations and delays
Data from flight tracking website FlightAware showed that as of 2 p.m. ET in the US, more than 900 flights had been canceled on Wednesday and another 1,000 on Thursday.
American, Delta, Southwest and United Airlines have all issued travel waivers allowing affected passengers to rebook their flights free of charge.
Southwest Airlines, which operates heavily in Florida, “reduced operations at several airports we serve in Florida,” including stopping flights to and from Palm Beach. “Currently, we plan to resume operations, weather and infrastructure permitting, at these airports tomorrow,” Southwest said in a statement Wednesday.
CNN’s Melissa Alonso, David Williams and Pete Montan contributed to this report.
Top photo: An empty TSA screening line is seen at Orlando International Airport as the airport prepared for Hurricane Ian in late September. The airport is preparing for Tropical Storm Nicole. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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