Evacuees flee to Milwaukee as hurricane Milton closes in

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – As Hurricane Milton makes its way to Florida, some travelers landed in Milwaukee to escape its path.

At Mitchell International airport, dozens of travelers from Orlando picked up their luggage after getting on one of the last flights from Florida. Airports in Tampa and Ft. Myers have already shut down because of Milton. Airports in Orlando plan to stop all service starting tomorrow.

According to Flight Aware, five flights were canceled at Mitchell International Airport to and from Florida.

Floridian Kerry Schaefer considers herself lucky. Her original flight was part of the cancellations, but she was able to get on an earlier one, Tuesday morning – just in time for her son’s wedding.

“Just happy that the plane got here, that we were able to get the last three seats on the flight and that we can celebrate my son’s wedding,” said Schaefer.

Floridian Anne Wall says she moved her flight up earlier to visit family in Lake Geneva. Wall says her friends and family members have been preparing for the storm and some have evacuated.

“Well, scary for them, you know. Because sometimes you have small children. You have animals and it's hard leaving everything, and you don’t know what you're gonna come back to. But your life’s more important, that stuff can all be replaced,” said Wall.

Dempsey Mulvihill just came back from Disney World and says he’s worried about his aunt.

“There was many rains and we have two families that live down in Ft. Meyers and one of them, their house got flooded,” said Mulvihill.

A dozen more flights are canceled tomorrow. Many of the travelers we spoke to say they’re just praying for the safety of their friends and family members.