Universal Studios has announced plans to reopen after Hurricane Ian unleashed 14 inches of rain and winds up to 60 mph in Orlando. There has been some damage, but the park will reopen in phases beginning Friday, Sept. 30. Photos and videos shared across social media displayed some areas of the park under several feet of water. Rides and attractions impacted include Incredible Hulk Coaster, with the lower tracks showing damage, which are normally suspended over the park’s lagoon. After the flooding, the tracks were submerged in the lagoon.
Flood waters also impacted the resort’s CityWalk and Portofino restaurant, which are adjacent to Double Tree by Hilton hotel and the I-4 Express near the park. A large hole blew in the side of the building that houses Jurassic Park River Adventure. Per park officials, there are continued “assessment and recovery efforts” as they plan a “phased reopen” but only for the guests of the resort’s hotels who rode out the storm there. Which section of the parks will reopen first is not yet clear.
Videos by PopCulture.com
Hurricane Ian left millions of southern Florida without electricity, drinking water, or inhabitable homes. Gov. Ron DeSantis said would recovery would be yearslong.
Florida residents who’ve suffered previous storms say Ian has been one of worst. Roads have been flooded, trees have fallen, and storefronts have been gutted. “The damage that was done has been historic,” Mr. DeSantis said in a briefing on Sept. 29. “We’ve never seen a flood event like this. We’ve never seen a storm surge of this magnitude.”
An official death toll has yet to be tallied. DeSantis said that “we absolutely expect” a number by end of day. Estimated deaths are said to be in the hundreds, as noted by callers who reported water rising in their homes.
The storm is now headed to the Carolinas. Georgia is also expected to get hit hard by rain and wind.
Most Viewed
-
A ring of vibrant marigold flowers with glowing candles at the center, set against a dark background. (Credit: Eduardo Monroy Husillos / Getty Images) -
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET and features a diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band. The guests for Tuesday, June 10 included Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes ("SmartLess"), Bella Ramsey ("The Last of Us"), and musical guest HARDY. (Disney/Randy Holmes) SEAN HAYES, JASON BATEMAN, WILL ARNETT (Photo by Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images) -
L-R: Todd Lasance as AFP Liaison Officer Sergeant Jim 'JD' Dempsey, Olivia Swann as NCIS Special Agent Captain Michelle Mackey, Sean Sagar as NCIS Special Agent DeShawn Jackson, Tuuli Narkle as AFP Liaison Officer Constable Evie Cooper and William McInnes as Forensic Pathologist Dr. Roy Penrose in NCIS: Sydney episode 9, season 3 streaming on Paramount+, 2025. Photo Credit: Daniel Asher Smith/Paramount+ -
Netflix logo (Credit: Netflix) -
ALL IN THE FAMILY. Rob Reiner as Mike Stivic and Sally Struthers as Gloria Bunker Stivic. Image dated 1979. Copyright ©1979 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Credit: CBS Photo Archive. -
(Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
