Travel Alert September 2019: Tropical Depression Imelda Affects Houston and Eastern Texas
If Houston and eastern Texas is 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 Tropical Storm Imelda, of which landfall had already occurred and has moved inland near Houston.
Travel Alert September 2019: Tropical Depression Imelda Affects Houston and Eastern Texas
Source: National Hurricane Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States.
Maximum sustained winds of this storm — which is currently centered approximately 10 miles northwest of Houston and is currently moving north at six miles per hour — are 35 miles per hour, which means that this storm is currently a tropical depression. Remnants of this storm are expected to reach Dallas by tomorrow evening, Thursday, September 19, 2019.
Eastern Texas can expect up to 12 inches of precipitation, which will lead to flash flooding in local areas — flooding is already occurring at this time in areas which are receiving rainfall at a rate of up to three inches per hour — but the good news is that many areas of eastern Texas is experiencing various levels of drought conditions; so this storm is welcomed in many areas in terms of reducing or eliminating drought.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to or from Houston and eastern Texas 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 five airlines which have issued travel alerts — or are at least monitoring the storm — as a result of this tropical weather system:
- Delta Air Lines has issued a travel alert for both airports which serve the greater metropolitan Houston area for Tuesday, September 17, 2019 through Thursday, September 19, 2019; and Sunday, September 22, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued a travel alert for Houston Intercontinental Airport for Tuesday, September 17, 2019 through Thursday, September 19, 2019; and Sunday, September 22, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued a travel alert for Houston Hobby Airport for Tuesday, September 17, 2019 through Thursday, September 19, 2019; and Thursday, October 2, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued a travel alert for Houston Hobby Airport for Wednesday, September 18, 2019 through Thursday, September 19, 2019; and Sunday, September 22, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- WestJet Airways has issued a travel alert for Houston Intercontinental Airport for Wednesday, September 18, 2019 through Thursday, September 19, 2019.
Summary
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.
