The latest: Hurricane Ian halts flights at JIA, bus service by JTA
The Florida Times-Union has made this article free of charge for all readers in the interest of public safety. Please consider supporting local journalism with a digital subscription.
Northeast Florida Hurricane Ian quick links:
Hurricane Ian: See the latest forecast, tracking map
Shelter status: Hurricane shelters open across Northeast Florida
Hurricane updates: Sign up to get the latest news sent to your phone
Power outages: See outage maps for JEA, FPL and more
What's open? Duval, Jacksonville area closings and cancellations
Hurricane evacuation zones: Evacuation information for Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties.
As Hurricane Ian continues on its path towards Northeast Florida after making landfall Wednesday in Southwest Florida, travelers should expect disruptions and cancellations to their travel plans.
Here's a look at what we know.
Jacksonville International Airport
Late Wednesday, airport officials announced that all flights at Jacksonville International Airport were canceled for today and that the airport's terminal was closed.
As of 7:15 a.m. -- normally a busy time for the airport and Northeast Florida airspace -- the flight tracking website flightradar.com showed no flights over most of Northeast Florida and much of east Central Florida.
The airport advises passengers to contact their airline for rebooking options.
No expected reopening time was immediately available.
JTA service
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is shutting down its mass transit and specialty services due to the approach of Hurricane Ian.
The JTA's bus routes, ReadiRide, First Coast Flyer and Express Select Services will continue to operate on a regular schedule as long as weather permits until 8 p.m. Wednesday when they will be suspended. The authority anticipates service returning by mid-day Friday, following a Sunday schedule if weather permits.
Skyway service in downtown Jacksonville and San Marco will close at 8 p.m. Wednesday and reopen Monday.
Hurricane Ian: Latest forecast and tracking map
Hurricane Ian Live Updates: Northeast Florida under hurricane watch, Jacksonville opening 4 shelters at 5 p.m.
Connexion and Connexion Plus paratransit services cease at 3 p.m. Wednesday, with return and life-sustaining trips continuing after that as long as it is safe to do so, the JTA said. It anticipates service returning by mid-day Friday, following a Sunday schedule if weather permits.
The authority ceased operating the St. Johns River Ferry after its last run Tuesday night. That ferry runs between Mayport and Heckscher Drive on the city's Northside. As a precaution, it was moved to docks in Green Cove Springs to avoid damage from the hurricane, the authority said.
The JTA has said it will suspend all transportation services if and when sustained winds reach 35 mph. Additional detours and service disruptions may occur in the coming days due to flooding and other dangerous road conditions.
Those with special medical needs must register with the city if evacuations are ordered and need transportation to a shelter. Call 904-255-3172 for more information.
JTA administrative offices closed at noon Wednesday and plan on reopening Monday.
Jacksonville roadways
The Florida Highway Patrol is asking Jacksonville-area drivers to stay off the road today as Ian makes its way to Northeast Florida.
"It is not the time for sightseeing as this storm continues. Our troopers and other first responders are out assisting numerous calls for service," FHP tweeted Thursday morning.
You can monitor road conditions using our traffic gridlock guide.
If you are driving and come to an intersection where traffic signals are not operating, Jacksonville police offer the following reminders:
No signal lights: treat the intersection as four-way stop
Flashing red: lights should be treated as a stop sign
Flashing yellow: drivers should proceed with caution only when traffic permits
dscanlan@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4549
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Hurricane Ian: Flights canceled, bus service suspended in Jacksonville