Nearly 450 flights at Florida airports have been canceled as of early afternoon Friday, Oct. 9, as Hurricane Isaias nears landfall.
Two airports in the storm's path, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) at Eglin Air Force Base and Pensacola International Airport (PNS) have closed down, canceling more than 150 flights today.
Isaias is forecast to hit the northern Gulf Coast this evening as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph, although it may weaken slightly before landfall.
Tampa (TPA) and Sarasota (SRQ) are closely monitoring the storm's path and urge travelers to check directly with their airlines for up-to-date flight information.
"Hurricane Isaias may cause Gulf route closures," the Federal Aviation Administration said Oct. 8 in its daily traffic report. "Thunderstorm delays are possible in Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA), Miami (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL)."
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As of 12:45 p.m., 447 U.S. flights at Florida airports have been delayed, out of 3,081 nationwide, according to tracking site FlightAware. Most of the delays are at the Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa airports.
The delays come at the end of a week of weather-based air travel disruptions along the East Coast causing thousands of delays in Florida, FlightAware data showed.
Will Hurricane Isaias make landfall in Florida?
Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall near the extreme east part of the Florida Panhandle Friday evening.
Delays, cancellations reported at Florida airports
Here's the breakdown by airport as of around 12:45 p.m. Oct. 9. Click the airport names for detailed flight info and updated numbers throughout the day.
Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) cancellations, delays
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) cancellations, delays
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) cancellations, delays
Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) cancellations, delays
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) cancellations, delays
Key West International Airport (EYW) cancellations, delays
Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) cancellations, delays
Miami International Airport (MIA) cancellations, delays
Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP) cancellations, delays
Orlando International Airport (MCO) cancellations, delays
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) cancellations, delays
Pensacola International Airport (PNS) cancellations, delays
President Donald J Trump International Airport (DJT) cancellations, delays
Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) cancellations, delays
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) cancellations, delays
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) cancellations, delays
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) cancellations, delays
Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) cancellations, delays
Tampa International Airport (TPA) cancellations, delays
How do I check if my flight is canceled?
Don't wait until you're already at the airport to check your flight. Monitor your flight early and often, starting now, as cancellations will increase as the weather conditions worsen.
Download your airline’s mobile app and turn on push and text notifications for alerts about your flight. Some apps have a “Where’s My Plane?” feature that lets you see whether the aircraft scheduled to operate your flight has arrived, is delayed en route, or hasn’t departed yet from its previous airport. That can be an early signal of trouble.
What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled? Latest on rebooking, refunds
If your flight is canceled, use the airline's mobile app to rebook as soon as possible, according to Scott Keyes, founder of Going. If you need to talk to someone, Keyes suggests calling one of the carrier’s international lines.
"The best thing travelers can do is to be as proactive as possible switching to a new flight,” Keyes told USA TODAY. “When a flight gets canceled, all of a sudden hundreds of passengers need new itineraries. There may only be a handful of seats left on the best flights, and it's a first-come, first-(served) endeavor.”
If your flight is canceled for any reason, you’re entitled to a full refund if you choose not to fly on alternative itineraries offered by your airline. The same goes for “significant” delays or changes.
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.