The Tennessee vs. Florida football matchup is always one of the most anticipated games of the season. But with Hurricane Milton barreling toward Florida and East Tennessee still recovering from Hurricane Helen, will Florida fans even be able to get into the stands at Neyland Stadium?
Milton was a severe Category 4 storm that was about to grow into a Category 5 on Oct. 8, and was described as an “extremely dangerous storm” on the Midwest coast of Florida near the Tampa and Sarasota areas on the night of Oct. 9. It is expected to make landfall along the coast. Hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., is slightly northwest of the projected path, but the storm could affect travel to the Oct. 12 game in Knoxville.
Could Hurricane Milton affect Florida fans heading to Knoxville?
Millions of Florida residents were following evacuation orders on Oct. 8 to avoid Hurricane Milton, USA TODAY NETWORK reported in Florida. Slow-moving traffic clogged some of Florida’s major highways, including Interstates 75 North, 4 East and 10 West. State officials suspended tolls and cleared the shoulder.
The drive from Gainesville to Knoxville typically takes about 8 hours and 30 minutes via I-75. A quick search on Google Maps brought up a warning that “route may be affected by Hurricane Milton” on Oct. 8, when Milton was still rocking in the Gulf of Mexico. .
Tracking Hurricane Milton: How (and if) it’s different from Hurricane Helen
Florida fans driving to Knoxville should also be aware of long lines and sometimes empty gas stations along the way. USA TODAY reported on October 8 that fuel and other supplies were already running low.
However, travel to East Tennessee via Interstate 75 is not affected by road closures related to Hurricane Helen.
Catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helen on September 27 washed away roads and bridges, including portions of Interstates 40 and 26 near the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Drivers coming from Florida do not need access to these roads.
Track real-time traffic conditions and road closures in Florida at FL511.com.
Florida flight cancellations and airport closures could impact travel
Four airports are located near Gainesville, Florida: Orlando International (MCO), Orlando Sanford (SFB), Jacksonville International (JAX), and St. Pete Clearwater International (PIE), and are connected to Knoxville’s Maggie Tyson via Allegiant. There are direct flights to and from the airport.
But Milton will disrupt Allegiant’s flight schedule starting Oct. 8, the airline announced.
Gainesville Regional Airport and Tampa International Airport are also options, but there are no direct flights to McGee-Tyson.
Here’s how Milton has impacted the airport as of Oct. 8:
When will the Vols play the Florida Gators?
The University of Florida campus will be closed Oct. 9-10, but the Florida Gators will be able to practice on those days with certain guidelines, football coach Billy Napier announced Oct. 7.
As of Oct. 8, the team is scheduled to head to Knoxville on Oct. 11, after the storm passes.
Tennessee (No. 9) will play Florida State on Oct. 12 at Neyland Stadium. The game will be available to watch on ESPN starting at 7 p.m.
Tennessee won its most recent matchup against Florida State in September 2022 in Knoxville, 38-33.
Deverick Turner is a popular news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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