Hurricane Helene is the latest storm making headlines as it approaches a popular travel destination. It is crucial for travelers to stay informed about developing weather conditions and safety risks to make well-informed decisions for themselves and their families. Airlines are issuing widespread travel alerts in response to Hurricane Helene.
What to Know About Hurricane Helene
According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Helene has quickly intensified into a hurricane, strengthening over the eastern Gulf of Mexico as of Wednesday morning. Officials are urging residents along Florida’s western coast to evacuate, with urban and flash flooding posing serious threats, particularly in northwestern and northern Florida. The Southeast, including cities such as Atlanta, is also under warning, with potential storm impacts expected from Wednesday through Friday. The storm’s conditions could become life-threatening, so residents and visitors should prepare and take action to avoid danger.
11AM EDT Sep 25: #Helene becomes a Hurricane. Helene is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeast U.S. Make sure to stay up to date with the latest forecast as we move throughout the event at… pic.twitter.com/aiDCNlravO
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 25, 2024
Florida’s Gulf Coast is forecast to experience the brunt of the storm late Thursday, September 26, when the most severe, life-threatening conditions are expected. Hurricane Helene will likely bring heavy rainfall, storm surges, and powerful winds, making travel difficult and unsafe.
This region has already been impacted by Hurricane Francine recently, leaving many areas more vulnerable to damage. Recovery from the last storm is still ongoing, but locals are coming together to protect those who remain. Airlines are also taking measures to ensure passenger safety as the storm threatens to disrupt air travel.
Airline Travel Alerts and Impacts
Several major airlines have issued travel alerts, including Delta, American, Southwest, United, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit, and Breeze. These airlines are offering rebooking options without fees and have issued advisories for airports in affected regions. Travelers are advised to check the status of their flights and rebook while fees are waived.
Travel Tip: Those traveling through major transportation hubs should anticipate significant delays and potential cancellations as the travel industry adjusts to the impact of the storm.
