Hurricane Helene Disrupts Travel: Cruises Delayed, Flights Canceled Across Florida

As Hurricane Helene intensifies to a Category 2 storm and moves toward Florida, travel across the state is experiencing widespread disruptions. From grounded flights to delayed cruises, transportation in and out of the Sunshine State is facing significant setbacks.

Airports in South Florida are feeling the brunt of the storm, with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport reporting 15 delays and 53 cancellations, particularly affecting routes to Tallahassee, Tampa, and Fort Myers. Miami International Airport is also seeing high numbers of cancellations, with 23 arrivals and 20 departures canceled.

Travelers, like Susan, who is trying to fly to North Carolina to babysit her grandson, are finding themselves rebooking or scrambling for alternative plans. She was fortunate to secure a seat on a Delta flight after her original Spirit flight was canceled.

Flight Aware reports that over 15,000 flights have been delayed nationwide, and that number continues to climb. Meanwhile, airports in Tallahassee and Tampa have temporarily closed due to the storm’s approach.

Cruise lines are also grappling with the hurricane’s impact. Several ships are unable to return to port due to high winds, and passengers scheduled to depart Thursday or Friday are urged to confirm their travel plans directly with their cruise line.

Travelers are advised to check their flight status and set up text alerts for real-time updates as Hurricane Helene continues to disrupt travel across Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the U.S. East Coast.