Here’s what you need to know about Hurricane Ian’s impact on Florida travel

Hurricane Ian is set to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast after the storm lost its power in Cuba on Tuesday with devastating winds and flooding.

The US National Hurricane Center is warning of “life-threatening storm surge, tornadoes and flooding” for the state as Ian has strengthened to an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm. Over the weekend, President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for Florida, and more than 2.5 million residents in the storm’s path were evacuated.

If you’re planning a trip to Florida or the Caribbean, here’s what you need to know about Hurricane Ian and how it might affect your plans.

Are airlines canceling flights?

yes. Ian is expected to make landfall between Tampa Bay and Fort Myers on Wednesday, and airports in or near Orlando, Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg and Sarasota are closed until Thursday. More than 2,000 domestic flights were canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to flight tracking website Flightaware.com. And on Tuesday, about 1,800 flights were delayed.

Should I consider changing my flight?

If you’re on the Gulf Coast or Caribbean, consider changing your flight, but you’ll need to do so quickly. Major airlines like Delta, American and Southwest are offering layovers to passengers in affected states including Cuba, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia. Guidelines vary from carrier to carrier, but generally you must rebook within a short period of time to use the exemption.

For example, Delta offers no change fees for rebooked travel until October 3rd, while Southwest offers no change fees until October 2nd. American is waiving checked bag fees and fees for pets traveling to affected airports. and lifting restrictions on the number of pets allowed in cages. It is also increasing reduced, last-minute fares for cities affected by IE, but does not offer change fee waivers on rebooked flights. If your flight is affected by Iain, check your airline’s website for details on how to change your plans without incurring additional costs.

What if my cruise ship has to dock in a hurricane-hit area?

Shipping lines are diverting ships to avoid Ian and its aftermath. Carnival has canceled two upcoming cruises due to port closures in Jacksonville and Tampa. At the same time, Royal Caribbean’s chief meteorologist was James Van Fleet. Sharing travel directions. So passengers can travel the Caribbean safely. The practice is common for cruise lines during the hurricane season, which runs from June to November. Disney, Norwegian, MSC and others have updated itineraries to steer travelers away from the storm’s path.

What should I do if I am a traveler in an affected area?

Hurricane Ian tore through Cuba on Tuesday, leaving 11 million people without power in a national blackout. Tens of thousands of people, including tourists, were evacuated or evacuated before Ian caused widespread flooding and damage to buildings. Groups have been working day and night to restore power, and in the meantime, the public has been urged to exercise caution.

As the storm approaches Florida, where more than 2.5 million residents are under evacuation orders along its forecast path, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned some bridges could be closed Wednesday. “Take this seriously, don’t underestimate the potential of this storm,” said Dean Criswell, spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in an emergency briefing at the White House on Tuesday. We are talking about class effects. Florida hasn’t seen a major direct impact in nearly 100 years.

How will the storm affect travel to affected areas?

The recovery will be ongoing. Officials in Cuba are just beginning to assess the damage, but residents have posted pictures on social media of flooded roads, collapsed buildings and uprooted trees. The western states were the hardest hit, but the entire island was still without power as of Wednesday morning. In addition to Ian, Florida is battling hurricanes and tropical storms, so tourists are advised to check the weather forecast for the region they are traveling to.

The storm will last through November, and more storms are on the way. A number of Caribbean countries, including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos, are still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Fiona last week. They barely have time to catch their breath before another wave hits. Like Hurricane Maria’s devastation in Puerto Rico five years ago, rebuilding after a storm can be slow. Tourists should contact tour operators, hotels and local businesses to inquire about service changes before visiting.

What destinations can you influence next?

The National Hurricane Center expects Ian to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday, and heavy rain and flooding will continue to spread across the Florida peninsula through the weekend. The tide doesn’t stop there. Southeast Georgia and coastal South Carolina are expected to suffer from “flash flooding” over the next few days.