JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Most flights scheduled to depart out of the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) Thursday after 2 p.m. have been canceled or delayed, according to the latest update on the airport’s website.
The majority of arriving flights were also canceled, as of 5 p.m.
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According to the airport’s website, 15 flights have been canceled so far as Hurricane Helene, now a major Category 3 storm, continued to move north toward Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday afternoon and was expected to make landfall around 9 p.m.
Despite the cancelations, the airport remains open, as of the latest update.
“We heard from the airport this morning that if all airlines decide to shut down operations, you cannot think of the airport as a shelter,” Mayor Donna Deegan said during a news conference Thursday. “They will clear the airport if all airlines cease operations.”
The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch for all Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia counties until 10 p.m. as Hurricane Helene continues to strengthen and is forecast to bring low-level winds favorable for tornadoes.
MORE | Airlines are issuing travel alerts as Helene approaches. What to know about your flight rights
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg spoke with News4JAX Tuesday and encouraged flyers to visit FlightRights.gov with any questions about consumer protections.
JAX travelers are asked to contact their airline directly to learn more about the status of their flight.