Hurricane Helene rapidly intensified Wednesday as it tracks toward Florida and is expected to make landfall as the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. in over a year.
“The storm is forecast to rapidly strengthen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and become a major hurricane on Thursday,” according to the latest advisory.
As it strengthens, Helene is also forecasted to grow into a massive, sprawling system, posing a significant threat to Florida and much of the Southeastern U.S. The storm’s size and intensity will bring widespread impacts, including strong winds, heavy rainfall and dangerous storm surges across the region.
For the Florida Panhandle, a popular tourist destination, Helene’s arrival threatens to severely disrupt travel plans for coastal towns like Destin, Panama City Beach and Pensacola. The storm, currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico with sustained winds of 120 mph, is expected to make landfall within 48 hours and is prompting widespread evacuations.
Waivers Accepted for Certain Airlines
As the storm approaches, major U.S. airlines are issuing travel waivers for passengers scheduled to fly in or out of the affected areas. These waivers allow passengers to rebook flights without paying fare differences, offering some flexibility to those whose plans have been impacted.
American Airlines has issued a travel alert covering 16 airports in Florida, Mexico, Alabama and the Cayman Islands, but currently has not issued a waiver for travelers. Delta Air Lines has issued advisories covering multiple Florida airports. The airline is offering waivers to airports in Cancun, Daytona Beach, Panama City, Key West and other destinations impacted by the storm. Delta’s waiver runs from Sept. 25 through Sept. 27.
JetBlue Airways is also offering waivers for flights in and out of Florida and Mexico, allowing passengers to adjust their travel plans by Oct. 2 without paying extra. Air Canada also has a flight waiver for Cancun for Sept. 24.
Southwest has a waiver for Cancun for travel on Sept. 24 and Sept. 25, allowing for changes within 14 days of the original date of travel with no fare differences. United Airlines has a waiver for travel through Sept. 27 for travel through Panama City, Key West, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola, Fort Myers, Sarasota and Tampa. United will waive change fees and fare differences for new flights through Oct. 4.
Travel & Business Effected
In response to the approaching storm, top conferences along Florida’s Gulf Coast have been canceled. As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida posted a weather update on its information page: “Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions. We are closely monitoring the path of the storm as we continue to prioritize the safety of our guests and cast members.”
The storm has begun impacting cruise itineraries, with at least three Carnival ships affected. Carnival Paradise has altered its planned visit to Cozumel today, opting instead for Costa Maya. Meanwhile, Carnival Valor has canceled its scheduled stop in Cozumel. The itineraries for Carnival Breeze and Carnival Horizon are under close monitoring for potential changes.
Additionally, Carnival Horizon has canceled its visit to Grand Cayman on Wednesday. Its scheduled stop in Cozumel on Thursday has also been canceled and replaced with a visit to Amber Cove.
As of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, Port Tampa Bay issued a statement on its website that gale-force winds could impact the port within 24 hours. Port Tampa Bay is “working with the National Weather Service, U. S. Coast Guard and state and local partners to monitor the potential impact of Hurricane Helene in the Gulf.”
As Helene approaches, the tourism sector braces for both immediate losses and potential long-term damage to critical infrastructure with expected storm surges and flooding to the region.
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