Live Updates on Idalia: Beaufort County travel, road closures and flight delays
Updated: 8/30/23 @ 9:55 a.m.
Talmadge Memorial Bridge closing
Due to expected high wind speeds, the bridge into Savannah from Highway 17 will close to vehicular traffic at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday.
“The predicted strength of the wind at these bridges’ elevation will render vehicles susceptible to incidents. Motorists attempting to navigate vehicles across these bridges in conditions with the high wind levels anticipated from Hurricane Idalia may not be able to properly control their vehicles,” said the Georgia Department of Transportation in a press release.
-Sebastian Lee / Slee@islandpacket.com
Flight cancellations
All flights scheduled for Wednesday, arrivals and departures, at the Hilton Head Island Airport have been canceled, John Rembold, Director of Airports for Beaufort County, said.
Some flights out of Savannah Hilton Head International canceled as well.
American Airlines and United Airlines flights at Savannah Hilton Head International have been canceled, according to the airport’s arrivals and departures page.
-Sebastian Lee / Slee@islandpacket.com
Daufuskie Island Ferry
The ferry service to Daufuskie Island will be suspended Wednesday after the 11:30 a.m. departure from Daufuskie Island. The 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. ferries departing Buckingham and 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. ferries departing Melrose Landing are canceled.
The ferry plans to resume operations on Thursday.
-Sebastian Lee / Slee@islandpacket.com
From the Hilton Head Island Airport.
The Hilton Head Island Airport will remain open unless / until sustained wind speeds reach 35 mphs.
As of 2:25 p.m., no flights have been canceled or delayed. Cancellations and delays are decided by the airlines and not the airport.
John Rembold, Director of Airports for Beaufort County, said the best thing people can do is keep update with the airlines. The status of flights can be monitored on the airport’s website.
-Sebastian Lee / Slee@islandpacket.com
Daufuskie, Hilton Head shuttles canceled
The Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority announced all services across the region will be temporarily suspended on Wednesday with Hurricane Idalia closing in.
All Palmetto Breeze commuter services to Hilton Head, the Bluffton Breeze service, the Breeze Trolley, Walterboro Works and the Daufuskie Island ferry shuttles will not run.
The storm is expected to impact the Lowcountry from late Tuesday into Wednesday. Idalia is currently a Category 3 storm, but is projected to weaken to a tropical storm as it moves across Georgia and into South Carolina.
-Blake Douglas, bdouglas@islandpacket.com
From the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport
Savannah Hilton Head will remain operational, media spokesperson Lori Lynah said Tuesday morning. However, they are expecting delays. As of 11:15, no delays have been announced, Lynah said.
Up-to-date information can be found at the airports arrivals / departures section of their website. Airlines control flight times, not the airport, so the best thing those with a flight to catch can do, Lynah said, is stay in touch with the airlines.
From the Tampa Bay International Airport
“Tampa International Airport will suspend all commercial operations beginning at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia, with the Airport remaining closed until it can assess any damages later in the week.
The closure will allow the Airport and its partners to prepare the airfield and terminals, including the securing of jet bridges, ground equipment and any remaining aircraft before Idalia’s expected landfall early Wednesday as a potential major hurricane. Some cargo and private aircraft operations could continue overnight, but all air traffic will cease by 7 a.m. Tuesday morning. The Airport, including the Main Terminal and Airsides will be closed to all visitors and is not equipped to function as a shelter. The Airport anticipates reopening Thursday morning, with damage assessments beginning after the storm passes”
From the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport Terminal building will close at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 29th. The airport plans to reopen at 3:00 pm Wednesday, August 30th. The airport is in a mandatory evacuation zone.
