Travelers to or from the US Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida, should have an emergency plan in place as Hurricane Francine is disrupting travel throughout the region.
The National Hurricane Center predicts Francine will make landfall in Louisiana late Wednesday.
The system's most dangerous impacts include life-threatening storm surge, dangerous coastal conditions and strong winds.
The biggest impacts to travel along the Gulf Coast will occur Wednesday afternoon and evening, with impacts expected to continue into Thursday.
Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines are all offering vouchers or rebookings at no extra cost to passengers using airports that may be affected by Francine.
According to Flightaware.com, airports were experiencing delays and cancellations on Wednesday as Francine made its final approach, with Houston, New Orleans and Mobile international airports being hit the hardest.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport will remain open “until conditions are no longer safe,” airport officials said.
As of midday Wednesday, more than 140 flights in and out of New Orleans had been canceled.
More airports along the US Gulf Coast are expected to experience delays and cancellations from Francine, including Corpus Christi and Brownsville in Texas, and Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and Lafayette in Louisiana.
Flights between Mobile, Alabama, and Biloxi, Mississippi, may also be delayed or canceled.
Flights from other parts of the country may also be delayed, including flights from the western US to Miami and Atlanta.
By Thursday, most air schedules across the Gulf Coast should be back on schedule.
Francine is also affecting cruise ship traffic along the major ports of Texas and Louisiana.
Two ports in the Port of New Orleans — New Orleans Terminal and Ports America, which includes the L.A. Avenue Chassis Terminal — will be closed on Wednesday.
Cruise Mommy The Carnival Valor and Carnival Liberty are reportedly scheduled to depart from New Orleans on Wednesday.
“Guests and travel advisor partners are encouraged to monitor text and email notifications regarding Carnival Valor's Sept. 12 cruise sailing plans. Guests can sign up for alerts by texting CCL1 to CRUISE (278473),” Carnival Cruise Line said. I wrote it in an update.
Royal Caribbean has two ships that could be affected by Francine.
Remnants of Storm Francine are expected to move northward across the U.S. through Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee on Thursday, potentially causing lingering effects in the South.
