Footage shows Universal Studios theme park full of tourists hours before Hurricane Milton strikes

Footage shows tourists having fun at Universal Studios , just hours before the anticipated landfall of Hurricane Milton.

The park is scheduled to close around 12pm on Wednesday in anticipation of the hurricane, which is heading directly for Orlando. Hurricane Milton is predicted to be one of Florida's deadliest hurricanes , with wind speeds exceeding 130mph.

A Scottish family vacationing in Orlando, Florida , is among those bracing for the storm. The family, who have been in the city for a week, are planning to return to their home in Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday.

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The family plans to take shelter at Universal Orlando, where they are currently holidaying. Footage shows park-goers clad in waterproof attire, with an onlooker describing it as the "calm before the storm".

The tourist, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "We are right in the path of the Hurricane .

"I am here with my partner and two children. We will be staying in the hotel on the park. Everyone here is in good spirits but we are worried about what will happen."

Hurricane Milton dropped to a Category 4 early Wednesday before it hit Florida's west coast. The National Hurricane Center said it will remain a major hurricane when it makes landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday.

The Tampa Bay area, home to more than 3.3 million people, faces widespread destruction after avoiding direct hits from major hurricanes for more than a century. Around 6,000 Florida National Guard members and 3,000 members of the National Guard from other states are ready to support evacuations and rescue operations.

It is the largest Florida National Guard search and rescue mobilization in the entire history of the state of Florida.

There are shelter places for 200,000 people across Florida. Officials are warning that a direct hit from Hurricane Milton would bring far greater risks to Florida.