These Are All the Airports Closed for Hurricane Helene Impact
Hurricane Helene is traveling across the Gulf of Mexico and continues to strengthen before its imminent landfall in Florida's Big Bend. If you're flying to the region during the storm, you might want to check your flight status.
"It seems likely that Helene will be at or very near Category 4 strength when it makes landfall in the Florida Big Bend this evening," the National Hurricane Center warned the afternoon of Sept. 26, per USA Today.
A handful of airports in the area have closed their doors in anticipation of Helene's arrival. See if your travel will be affected.
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Tampa International Airport suspended operations at 2 a.m. on Sept. 26 and remains closed until further notice, according to an announcement on X. It also reiterated that "The airport is not a shelter" and shared a list of Hillsborough County shelters.
???????????? TPA is suspending flight operations at 2 a.m. Thursday ???????? ????
— Tampa International Airport ✈️ (@FlyTPA) September 26, 2024
The Airport is not a shelter.
Click here for a list of shelters and other County resources: https://t.co/yOIqJmsgiq
St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
Nearby St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport also remains closed through Sept. 26. The airport plans to reopen Friday morning, Sept. 27.
Flights operating Wednesday 9/25 as scheduled. Airport terminal closing after last flight arrival Wednesday and remain closed Thursday 9/26 . PIE plans to reopen Friday morning. Contact airlines for flight info https://t.co/nGpLkez9j1. Airport terminal is not a public shelter.
— St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (@iflypie) September 25, 2024
Tallahassee International Airport (TLH)
Florida's capital sits in Helene's direct path. Unsurprisingly, the Tallahassee airport shuttered its doors until further notice.
"Operations at Tallahassee International Airport will be suspended Thursday, Sept. 26, and will resume as soon as it is safe to do so," the airport wrote on social media.
Operations at Tallahassee International Airport will be suspended Thursday, Sept 26, and will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. For more City of Tallahassee updates, visit https://t.co/Cxr3icByaZ pic.twitter.com/VQWwNzOm6c
— Tallahassee International Airport (@TLHAirport) September 25, 2024
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
Jacksonville International Airport is open for now, though the airport warned that "Helene will likely cause additional cancellations later today and into tomorrow." If you're traveling through JAX, check with your airline for the latest updates.
The airport is open and operational, but #helene will likely cause additional cancellations later today and into tomorrow. If you have a flight, check with your airline for the most up-to-date information about your itinerary and for rebooking options. pic.twitter.com/Xnljf2gfOC
— JAXairport (@JAXairport) September 26, 2024
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Miami International Airport, the biggest in the state, remains open as of Thursday afternoon. Still, make sure your flight isn't affected.
"Due to potential severe weather as a result of Hurricane Helene there may be some cancellations and delays. If you’re traveling, please check with your airline for the latest flight information," the airport said.
⚠️ #WeatherAdvisory (09/26/24) ⚠️
— Miami Int'l Airport (@iflymia) September 26, 2024
MIA is open, and we’re committed to ensuring your travel plans go smoothly. Due to potential severe weather as a result of Hurricane #Helene there may be some cancellations and delays.
If you’re traveling, please check with your airline for the… pic.twitter.com/PEjhjIUglt
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport remains open for now.
"We continue to monitor Hurricane Helene as it moves closer to Florida's Panhandle," the airport wrote on X. "FLL is open and operational, but if you're traveling today, check with your airline for updated flight status before coming out, as there are some cancellations and delays to affected regions."
#WeatherAlert #2: We continue to monitor #HurricaneHelene as it moves closer to Florida's Panhandle. While @BrowardCounty is not in the storm's direct path, we could see some bad weather here. #FLL is open and operational, but if you're traveling today, check with your airline… pic.twitter.com/hffJsUt5Kt
— Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL) (@FLLFlyer) September 26, 2024
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
Palm Beach International is open as of Thursday afternoon, though a number of delays are currently affecting outbound flights, per PBI's website.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando airport in central Florida doesn't look to be affected. "[MCO] remains open and operational," the airport said. "We're currently making preparations ahead of Hurricane Helene & will continue to monitor the storm. Please check with your airline directly for updates regarding your flight."
Operational Update - Hurricane #Helene
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) September 25, 2024
Our airport remains open and operational. We're currently making preparations ahead of Hurricane Helene & will continue to monitor the storm. Please check with your airline directly for updates regarding your flight.https://t.co/qaAAWSeMPO https://t.co/0pSi1JxyTW