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Hurricane Helene’s Arrival and Initial Effects
As Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, the storm unleashed a powerful impact, reaching category 4 status. The repercussions have been extensive, disrupting travel and causing significant flight cancellations across the United States. By early Friday morning, approximately 700 flights had been canceled, and over 1,200 flights encountered delays, with Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) being hit the hardest.
Ongoing Flight Disruptions
Following Helene’s initial devastation, the storm downgraded to a tropical storm but continued moving north through Georgia and the Carolinas. The National Hurricane Center issued warnings for tornadoes and flash floods, advising individuals to remain sheltered. The storm’s ferocity caused flight disruptions that compounded previous issues, totaling 1,300 flight cancellations and over 6,200 flight delays from Thursday alone.
Airlines Respond to the Storm
Major airlines like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have issued travel alerts in response to the ongoing hurricane situation. Delta extended its alert for flights through Atlanta, known as the busiest airport globally, while United expanded its travel alert to various airports in the affected regions, including Nashville and Charleston. Furthermore, Tampa International Airport (TPA) suspended all operations on Thursday, affecting nearly 100 flights as assessments of the airport’s damage began.