After making landfall in Alabama early, hurricane Ivan’s effects were felt from New Orleans east into Florida.
As of Thursday afternoon, four or more Gulf Coast airports had suspended flights. And Ivan was forecast to approach Atlanta by Thursday afternoon, which could cause delays and cancellations.
Flights were suspended in Baton Rouge, La.; Gulfport/Biloxi Miss.; Panama City and Pensacola, Fla.
Hub airports in areas such as Charlotte, N.C., could also be impacted by the storm.
Nearly every US airline was allowing travelers to change planes to Caribbean destinations and to the Southeast, according to USA Today.
Florida, hard hit by two previous hurricanes less than a month apart, did not bear the brunt of Ivan but its impact was felt in the Panhandle. At least two people were killed in the Panhandle by tornadoes spawned by Ivan.
Meanwhile, near-hurricane-force winds lashed Puerto Rico as Jeanne hit the island. The storm killed at least two people and flooded neighborhoods.
Destinations so far affected by the tropical storm Jeanne include San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Report by David Wilkening
