Thousands flee Florida for New Jersey as Hurricane Milton approaches

Thousands of travelers scrambled to come back home to New Jersey Monday evening as Hurricane Milton threatened the Gulf Coast.

Some people paid six times more than the average cost of a flight to New Jersey from Florida. Several others were anxiously waiting on standby for any seats to open up.

Andy Kozma, of Edison, is among the fortunate few who were able to get on a flight from Key West— cutting his vacation short.

“All flights are full,” said Kozma. “Everywhere is standby. We’re just glad to have a seat.”

Like Kozma, Emma Anmol Singh, of Stewartsville, ended her vacation in the Sunshine State early. She only had one day of rest and relaxation as the waves threatened her beach stay.

“The storm was really picking up when we left. We were lucky to get a flight out,” said Singh. “We had to leave at 5 a.m. The roads were pretty bad. There was a lot of traffic and the airport obviously was already packed.”

According to a public statement by Tampa International Airport, commercial and cargo operations will be suspended Tuesday at 9 a.m. The airport will not be staffed for emergency services or supplies.

A statement on Orlando International Airport’s website states the airport will remain open to accept emergency aid and relief flights as necessary; however, commercial flights will stop on Wednesday.

Grayson Thompson, of Maplewood, a Florida Southern freshman received a message from his lacrosse coach warning him of the threat of the Category 5 hurricane.

“I booked a flight way early. I think I got a text Friday. This was the first flight I could get on,” said Thompson. “I had to take two connections, but now I’m home that’s all that matters.”

Austin Koolery, of River Vale, a University of Tampa senior, also was able to get out of the state safely. His mother began looking flights up as soon as she saw how devastating Hurricane Milton could be.

“She’s like, ‘Alright let me look at flights Tuesday. $150 Tuesday and $400 on Monday,’” said Koolery. “Ten minutes went by and she’s like. ‘They closed the airport on Tuesday. I’m getting you a Monday flight, you’re getting out of there.’ I got lucky.”

Koolery said his flight cost about $600 and he hasn’t heard from his airline about any emergency assistance.