Latest Updates on Hurricane Idalia Impacting Travel

Florida is preparing for the arrival of Idalia on Wednesday, which has strengthened into a hurricane and is expected to rapidly intensify into a Category 3 storm by the time it makes landfall.

According to Weather.com, Hurricane Idalia is forecast to bring life-threatening storm surge, high winds and heavy rain to the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle on Tuesday night, with the most powerful portion of the storm expected on Wednesday.

Government officials in Florida have issued hurricane and tropical storm warnings, putting over 14 million people on notice. In addition, storm surge warnings were posted for hundreds of miles of Gulf Coast shoreline.

“Buckle up for this one,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Monday. 

After making expected landfall in Florida, the National Hurricane Center said Idalia’s path is projected to move toward the southern portion of Georgia and North and South Carolina on Wednesday night, bringing torrential rains (4-8 inches), heavy rain, flooding, high winds and life-threatening storm surge.

Regarding the storm’s impact on travel, Tampa International Airport closed before the hurricane’s arrival, while other facilities in the area, such as Southwest Florida International, Miami International and Orlando International, are monitoring the situation.

Airlines have also stepped in to issue travel advisories and waive change fees for passengers flying to or from impacted areas in Florida and the Carolinas, including American, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, Southwest and United.

The cruise industry has a stronghold in Florida and is also being impacted by Idalia, with several major companies being forced to alter itineraries and avoid destinations in the path of the hurricane. Cruise lines making changes include Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Virgin Voyages, according to Cruise Mapper.

As for rail travel, Amtrak is temporarily adjusting service on select routes as a safety precaution for customers and employees. Impacted trains include the Auto Train, Silver Star, Silver Meteor and Palmetto.

In addition, Florida’s theme parks are monitoring the situation, with some facilities—including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay—temporarily closing to keep tourists and employees safe.

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