Latest Updates on Hurricane Zeta’s Impact on Travel

Update: October 29, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. ET

Tropical Storm Zeta made landfall as a strong Category 2 hurricane near Cocodrie, Louisiana on Terrebonne Bay late Wednesday afternoon.

According to Weather.com, the storm system brought damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall as it moves inland across portions of the South, including winds reaching almost 50 miles per hour at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

Strong, damaging wind gusts, which could cause tree damage and power outages, will spread well inland across portions of southeastern Mississippi, Alabama, northern Georgia, the Carolinas, and southeastern Virginia overnight and Thursday due to Zeta's fast forward speed. #Zeta pic.twitter.com/43lJDLXgC2

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 29, 2020

Airlines serving the region proactively canceled select flights in the projected path of the storm and continue to monitor the storm to make adjustments as needed. Current travel waivers are in effect for select cities in Louisiana, Florida and Alabama for travel on October 28 and 29.

Hurricane Zeta continues to build strength as it approaches the Gulf Coast of the United States for an expected landfall on Wednesday.

According to Weather.com, hurricane warnings have been issued from Morgan City, Louisiana, to the Mississippi/Alabama border, including metropolitan New Orleans. Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds and heavy rainfall are expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon into the evening.

The intensification trend for #Zeta continues. Conditions along the northern Gulf Coast will begin to deteriorate around midday.https://t.co/52NAfUyNeI? pic.twitter.com/JP7ELwptYN

— National Weather Service (@NWS) October 28, 2020

The storm surge warning includes areas from Intracoastal City, Louisiana, to Navarre, Florida, while a tropical storm warning is also in effect for portions of southern Mississippi, Alabama, the western Florida panhandle and northern Georgia.

Damaging winds, especially in gusts, will spread well inland across portions of southeast Mississippi and southern and central Alabama tonight due to Zeta's fast forward speed. More details about your local weather hazards at https://t.co/SiZo8ohZMN #Zeta pic.twitter.com/oIgZwtqaOx

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 28, 2020

Zeta is also expected to bring rainfall to the East Coast through late week as the storm interacts with another weather system.

#Zeta continues to strengthen as maximum sustained winds have reached 90 mph. As the system approaches the coast, there will be an increased chance of dangerous winds, storm surge, and severe weather. Our crews are LIVE in the field and ready to get you through the storm. pic.twitter.com/s7RjXs9DKz

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 28, 2020

As a result, several major airlines have issued travel alerts, waived changed fees and capped fares to airports in the projected path of the storm. At least nine coastal airports in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi could be impacted by Zeta.

Carriers such as American, Delta, Frontier, jetBlue, Southwest and United have issued travel advisories for the region.

Amtrak has adjusted its schedule and services on the Sunset Limited, Crescent and City of New Orleans routes due to the forecasted path of Tropical Storm Zeta. Substitute transportation will not be available to and from New Orleans.