I f southern portions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the western panhandle of Florida are in your travel plans over the next few days, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — due to torrential rains which are expected to deliver as much as 20 inches of rain and potentially flood the aforementioned areas.
Travel Alert June 2017: Tropical Storm Cindy to Affect the Gulf Coast
Tropical Storm Cindy — which is currently in the Gulf of Mexico and moving northwest at a speed of ten miles per hour — is expected to remain as a tropical storm and not strengthen to become a hurricane. The main event is heavy rain caused chiefly by severe thunderstorms with some isolate tornadoes possible. Although maximum sustained winds are at 50 miles per hour, gusty winds are possible locally.
Airports which are expected to experience interruptions and delays in operations include — but are not limited to — those in Houston, New Orleans, Gulfport, Mobile, Tallahassee, Alexandria, Lafayette, Pensacola, Beaumont, Destin, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport.
Other airports which are expected to be affected to a lesser extent — but may eventually be included in the travel alerts of airlines — include Jackson, Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville, Chattanooga, Montgomery, Memphis and Columbus.
By Saturday morning, the system will have lost its tropical characteristics with sustained winds less than 39 miles per hour; but it may still adversely affect airports in western North Carolina, western Virginia, southern West Virginia, southeastern Kentucky, northern Georgia, and northwestern South Carolina with locally heavy rains and flooding.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to anywhere in the region of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this winter weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are seven airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this tropical weather system:
- Delta Air Lines has issued a travel alert for eight airports in two states for Thursday and Friday, June 22 and 23, 2017; and Monday, June 26, 2017 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for 11 airports in five states for Thursday, June 22, 2017; and Sunday, June 25, 2017 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for 12 airports in five states for Wednesday and Thursday, June 21 and 22, 2017; and Sunday, June 25, 2017 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued travel alerts for two airports in two states with for Wednesday and Thursday, June 21 and 22, 2017; and Monday, June 26, 2017 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for two airports in two states for Wednesday and Thursday, June 21 and 22, 2017.
- Spirit Airlines has issued travel alerts for two airports in two states for Wednesday and Thursday, June 21 and 22, 2017; and Saturday, June 24, 2017 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Frontier Airlines has issued travel alerts for two airports in two states for Wednesday and Thursday, June 21 and 22, 2017.
Summary
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.
