Universal Resort Orlando Flooded, Jurassic Park Ride Damaged By Hurricane Ian; Phased Reopening To Begin Friday

Swelling lakes and rivers in Florida continue to leave communities underwater in the wake of Hurricane Ian, and the historic flooding of at least one river could remain until Thanksgiving, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Storm damage and flooding from the St. Johns River, the longest river in the state of Florida, and its tributaries have affected at least 1,200 residents in Seminole County, officials have said.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is warning people to be on high alert for fraud as recovery efforts continue in the wake of Hurricane Ian.  The DOJ’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) issued a notice reminder on Friday that "as with any major disaster, there are unscrupulous thieves who seek to take advantage of the environment to line their own pockets."  Cots cover the floor of Hertz Arena, an ice hockey venue that has been transformed into a massive relief shelter, in Estero, Fla., on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

During an interview on "Fox & Friends," Friday, Polk County, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd weighed in on the influx of looters who are taking advantage of Hurricane Ian's devastation, urging armed Florida homeowners to take action. Well, I can tell you that I was down there with my colleague, Sheriff Marceno, this weekend.

Homeowners in southwest Florida who are continuing to grapple with the devastation or loss of their homes have been appealing in growing numbers for help from Samaritan's Purse, Fox News Digital is told by the organization. Samaritan’s Purse, as of late Friday night, received more than 2,270 requests for help in just seven days, the organization shared with Fox News Digital.  The North Carolina-based international Christian relief and evangelism organization had already mobilized 1,100 volunteers from 26 states. "And we have another 2,900 volunteers on the way," the organization told Fox News Digital via email late Friday night.

At least 132 people have died due to Hurricane Ian, according to local officials, as the death toll continues to climb more than a week after the powerful storm tore across Cuba and the eastern United States. Search and rescue operations continue in Florida after Hurricane Ian devastated large portions of the state as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 150 mph.  Hurricane Ian is now the second-deadliest storm in the continental United States in the 21st Century since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.The deadliest hurricane ever to hit the U.S.

Universal Studios Hollywood today announced the dates for its “Awesomest Celebration of the Season” and the return of fan favorites “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and “Grinchmas.”The fun begins Friday, November 25, 2022 and runs daily through Sunday, January 1, 2023. And, unlike some other parks, all holiday festivities are included in the price of theme park admission at Universal.

A devoted son and former Chicago police officer heroically spent 11 hours rescuing his disabled mother from Hurricane Ian as floodwaters filled her home.  Johnny Lauder joined "Fox & Friends First" Thursday to discuss the rescue and how he was able to get his wheelchair-bound mother and another hurricane victim to safety in Naples, Florida.  "Once the storm water started coming in, and it was about three and a half, four feet of water on the side of my son's house, that's when I knew that time was of the essence, and I made sure they were safe and dry," Lauder told co-host Carley Shimkus. "They went up in an attic crawl space with a way to get out of the roof if need be, and I jumped out the window and started making my trek to help mom." Lauder said his mother, who is 84 years old, refused to evacuate, but luckily he was down the street at his son's home when storm conditions began to escalate.  University of Central Florida students use an inflatable mattress as they evacuate an apartment complex near the campus that was totally flooded by rain from Hurricane Ian, Friday, Sept.

In news shared first with Fox News Digital, Rev. Franklin Graham, the CEO of Samaritan's Purse, said that he is personally traveling down to Florida on Thursday, Oct. 6, to help and encourage the victims of Hurricane Ian — many of whom have lost everything.

President Biden met with Gov. Ron DeSantis Wednesday in Florida as the political rivals came together to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Ian. Biden, with first lady Jill Biden, is visiting hard-hit Fort Myers to "reaffirm his commitment to supporting the people of Florida as they recover and rebuild from the devastating storm," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday.

Florida continued the grim task of digging out from Hurricane Ian today, as authorities surveyed the damage and death totals from the devastating storm.

Ian Somerhalder is sharing his thoughts on Hurricane Ian, which has been devastating the people of Florida this week.

A Fort Myers TV station continued to provide reports on social media and other platforms about the extent of damage from Hurricane Ian — which made landfall as a Cat. 4 storm on a nearby barrier island — even after Ian’s destruction forced it off the air.

TMZ, and they show several inches of standing water filling most of the ground floor. In addition, portions of the ceiling caved in and have significant water damage.

After announcing what it called a “phased” reopening in the wake of Hurricane Ian, Walt Disney World has posted specific hours for Friday’s return on its site.

A reporter for an Orlando TV station rescued a woman who got stuck in her car as she had attempted to drive through Hurricane Ian floodwater.

Fox News covered the pending landfall of Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida on Wednesday much in the same way several networks did, with a reporter and camera on the ground in the brunt of the storm, showing first-hand how powerful the storm surge and winds had become.But Fox News reporter Robert Ray took a unique tact in Fort Myers, where the storm made landfall around noon PT, using the water plumes of an open fire hydrant to punctuate its early impact. A Fox News anchor set up his dispatch with a brief lead-in.“Words like ‘catastrophic’ and ‘historic events’ — experts are describing the potential damage and destruction that Hurricane Ian could bring,” the anchor said. “Conditions are intensifying in Fort Myers, Florida.

Asked today if he was serious recently when he challenged Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to a debate on CNN, California Governor Gavin Newsom replied to a group of reporters, “Of course I am, but it’s tough time to bring that up.”