Packages move on a conveyor belt at an Amazon fulfillment center on Cyber Monday in Robbinsville, New Jersey, USA, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021.
Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Amazon is temporarily closing warehouses in parts of Florida as Hurricane Ian heads toward the state.
The company closed locations near Tampa and Orlando on Tuesday, according to notices sent to employees and reviewed by CNBC. Amazon expects the facilities to remain closed through Friday, according to the notices.
“We will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates on when the building will reopen,” according to a notice, which was sent to workers at a facility in the Tampa suburb of Temple Terrace.
Amazon confirmed it is closing some sites as a safety measure ahead of the storm.
“We are closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Ian and making adjustments to our operations to keep our employees and those who deliver to us safe,” Amazon spokesman Richard Rocha said in a statement. “We are in regular contact with our employees and delivery partners to ensure everyone is aware of any site closures or unsafe conditions and will continue to make the necessary adjustments.”
The National Hurricane Center on Tuesday upgraded Hurricane Ian to a Category 3 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour. FEMA and the White House urged Florida residents to heed evacuation warnings from local officials and not to underestimate the magnitude of the storm. The hurricane has continued to strengthen after making landfall in Cuba.
Amazon is the latest company to adjust its operations as Hurricane Ian approaches the southeast coast. The Walt Disney Company and Comcast’s Universal Studios are closing their Orlando-based theme parks ahead of the storm. Several airports in the state also announced closures.
Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC.
WATCH: Florida’s Gulf Coast prepares for Hurricane Ian’s landfall
