Travel Alert September 2017: Tropical Storm Maria to Impact Eastern Caribbean Islands

If eastern islands of the Caribbean Sea are in your travel plans over the next few days, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — due to the effects from Tropical Storm Maria.

Travel Alert September 2017: Tropical Storm Maria to Impact Eastern Caribbean Islands

Tropical Storm Maria churns in the Atlantic Ocean as it heads west northwest towards the northern islands of the Caribbean Sea, which are outlined in purple. Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.

Maximum sustained winds of Tropical Storm Maria — which is currently in the Atlantic Ocean and moving west northwest at a speed of 15 miles per hour — are at 65 miles per hour, which means that it is currently classified just shy of a Category 1 hurricane.

Although this storm is still approximately 460 miles east southeast of the Lesser Antilles, hurricane watches have already been issued for Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Saba and Saint Eustatius, Saint Maarten and Anguilla — with hurricane conditions possible as soon as Monday night — and tropical storm watches have been posted for portions of the Lesser Antilles which include Saint Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Unfortunately, many of these areas were significantly impacted by Hurricane Irma — and the last thing they need is another hurricane heading their way.

Tropical Storm Maria is expected to strengthen quickly to a major Category 3 hurricane sometime over the next few days as it is expected to cause beach erosion, rough surf, coastal flooding, strong rip currents, windy conditions and significant rainfall of up to eight inches in some areas. Power outages and localized flooding is possible.

Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations

If you are traveling to anywhere in the islands of the eastern Caribbean Sea over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this tropical weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.

If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.

Here are four airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this tropical weather system:

• American Airlines has issued travel alerts for Antigua, Bridgetown, San Juan, Saint Croix Island, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, and Saint Thomas Island for Monday, September 18, 2017 through Wednesday, September 20, 2017; and Saturday, September 30, 2017 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Delta Air Lines has issued a travel alert for San Juan for Tuesday, September 19, 2017 through Tuesday, September 26, 2017; and Monday, October 2, 2017 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• United Airlines has issued travel alerts for Aguadilla and San Juan in Puerto Rico for Monday, September 18, 2017 through Saturday, September 23, 2017; and Saturday, September 30, 2017 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• WestJet Airways has issued travel alerts for Bridgetown, Saint Maarten, Saint Lucia, and Port of Spain for Saturday, September 16, 2017 through Wednesday, September 20, 2017.

Summary

This is only the first wave of travel alerts to result from Tropical Storm Maria. Expect more travel alerts from additional airlines over the next several days to be expanded to areas such as Hispaniola — and possibly the Bahamas and Cuba — and I will do my best to inform you if your travel plans are indeed affected.

Keep yourself updated with the latest information so that you are able to evacuate as early as possible if the weather forecast becomes bleak and threatening.

Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.

Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.