Owais Crawford
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on September 27, 2024, and moved northward into Georgia, causing severe weather conditions and impacting travel across the state. The hurricane caused flooding in multiple rivers and creeks in Atlanta, including Peachtree Creek and the Chattahoochee River, and led to power outages in some areas. The storm also brought strong winds, with gusts of up to 70 mph in the Atlanta metro area, resulting in downed trees and localised flooding. In preparation for the hurricane, schools and businesses closed, and airlines that service Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport, warned of potential disruptions and flight cancellations. While the airport remained open, it experienced delays and cancellations, with over 180 flights impacted as of Friday, September 27.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of impact | 27 September 2024 |
| Areas affected | North and Central Georgia, including Atlanta |
| Airports affected | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Tallahassee International Airport |
| Number of flights cancelled | 190 on Thursday, 90 on Friday |
| Airlines impacted | Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Georgia Power |
| Power outages | Valdosta |
| Flood warnings | Chattahoochee River, South River at Flakes Mill Road, Big Creek at GA-9 near Cumming |
| Wind speed | Gusts of 39 to 70 mph |
| Other impacts | Downed trees, localized flooding, road closures |
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What You'll Learn
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport cancellations
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on September 26, 2024, and moved north into Georgia. The hurricane caused severe weather conditions, including flooding and strong winds, which impacted the Atlanta area.
In preparation for the hurricane, the City of Atlanta urged residents to secure outdoor items, prepare emergency supplies, stay informed through local news and weather alerts, and follow travel advisories. The Atlanta Department of Transportation also addressed a sinkhole that developed at 4504 Lake Forrest Dr. NW, leading to a road closure.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport experienced disruptions due to Hurricane Helene. While the airport remained operational, the storm caused delays and cancellations for flights. The impact on air travel was expected to be less significant than anticipated, as the brunt of the storm arrived during the overnight hours when flight activity is generally lower.
Several destinations experienced cancelled flights to Atlanta, including Tampa, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Sarasota/Bradenton, Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Houston, and Jacksonville. Delta Air Lines waived booking fees for rebooking made before October 1, 2024, due to Hurricane Helene.
The hurricane caused power outages and downed trees in Atlanta, affecting transportation and emergency response. The city's emergency response teams were active in addressing issues, clearing downed trees, and handling critical emergency calls. Recovery centers were also set up to support residents affected by the hurricane.
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Atlanta airport closures
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. Any disruptions to its operations can have a ripple effect on travel across the United States.
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused severe weather conditions in Atlanta, Georgia. The hurricane brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding to the area. In preparation for the storm, the airport advised travellers to check for delays and cancellations. While there were no reports of the airport closing entirely, there were numerous flight cancellations and delays. Tampa International Airport, a major airport in the region, announced it would close at 2 a.m. on Thursday due to the hurricane, which likely contributed to the travel disruptions in Atlanta.
During the hurricane, Atlanta experienced wind gusts of up to 70 mph, downed trees, and power outages. The city also faced localized flooding, with Peachtree Creek overflowing its banks and flood warnings issued for multiple rivers and streams in the area. These hazardous conditions likely impacted the operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, leading to flight disruptions.
In addition to the airport disruptions, Hurricane Helene also affected schools and businesses in Atlanta. Multiple school districts closed schools on Thursday and Friday, and some high schools moved their Friday football games. The hurricane caused significant damage in Atlanta, with over 150 trees downed and widespread flooding. Emergency response teams played a crucial role in the aftermath, clearing debris, addressing emergency calls, and conducting life-saving boat rescues.
While the airport remained operational during Hurricane Helene, travellers experienced significant delays and cancellations. The hazardous weather conditions made air travel unsafe, and airlines prioritised the safety of passengers and crew by adjusting their schedules. The exact number of cancelled or delayed flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport during the hurricane is unclear, but it is reasonable to assume that the severe weather had a notable impact on the airport's operations.
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Atlanta airport delays
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. So, even on a regular day, travellers can expect some delays. On 17 May 2025, for example, travellers experienced gate hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less, while arrival traffic suffered airborne delays of 15 minutes or less.
However, the airport is susceptible to severe weather conditions, which can cause longer delays and even cancellations. In September 2024, for instance, Atlanta was hit by Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damage to the city. The hurricane made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida and then headed north into Georgia. The storm brought life-threatening winds and flooding to the area. Several schools closed, and a State of Emergency was issued to free up resources.
The hurricane had a knock-on effect on Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with several flights cancelled. Destinations with the most cancelled flights to Atlanta included Tampa (20), Fort Myers (8), Tallahassee (6), and Sarasota/Bradenton (6). However, the impact on air travel was not as significant as expected, as the worst of the storm arrived during the overnight hours when flights generally don't take off or land.
To avoid delays and cancellations, travellers are advised to check the latest updates from the airport and their airline before departing for the airport. In the case of severe weather, it is also essential to follow travel advisories and stay off the roads unless necessary.
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Atlanta airport impact on operations
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport, with more than 250,000 passengers and over 2,100 daily arrivals and departures. The airport has warned that Hurricane Helene will cause disruptions, not only in Atlanta but throughout the Southeast. Delta, Southwest and other airlines that operate from the airport are working with customers to rebook flights to minimise disruptions. Delta is allowing passengers to rebook flights by Tuesday, with the fare difference waived. Southwest Airlines is allowing passengers to rebook or travel standby within 14 days of the original travel date, without extra fees.
As of Thursday, 26 September, more than 190 flights into or out of Hartsfield-Jackson had been cancelled for that day, according to FlightAware. More than 60 flights were cancelled for the following day. By Friday, 27 September, more than 180 flights into or out of Hartsfield-Jackson had been cancelled for that day, with more than 80 departures and more than 90 arrivals affected. Delta flights accounted for more than 40 of these cancellations.
While the airport has been minimally impacted by the storm, the impact on air travel may not be as significant as expected, as the brunt of the storm arrived in metro Atlanta during the overnight hours when flights generally aren't taking off or landing. However, flights to and from airports along the Gulf Coast have been impacted due to airport closures.
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Atlanta airport recovery efforts
Atlanta was braced for the impact of Hurricane Helene, with the storm expected to strengthen to a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) as it approached. The city urged residents to be vigilant and to monitor local weather advisories and take precautions in case of flooding. The mayor's office also advised residents to bring in loose items from outside areas, prepare emergency supplies, stay informed through local news updates, and follow travel advisories.
In anticipation of the storm, Georgia's governor issued a State of Emergency to free up resources, and emergency response teams were put in place to address any issues. The city also set up recovery centers to support residents during and after the hurricane.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida just before midnight on Thursday, September 26, 2024, as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140 mph. It then weakened to a tropical storm as it moved northward into Georgia and Atlanta in the early morning hours of Friday, September 27. The storm caused significant flooding and power outages in Atlanta, with over 1 million customers losing power.
The impact of Hurricane Helene on Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was not as significant as expected, as the brunt of the storm arrived during the overnight hours when flights generally don't take off or land. However, there were still delays and cancellations at the airport.
The recovery efforts in Atlanta focused on clearing downed trees, addressing localized flooding, and keeping streets clear for emergency response teams. The city also worked on assessing the damage caused by the hurricane and urged property owners to report any damages to their private property to help unlock federal resources for the recovery process.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, flights to, from and through Atlanta were impacted by Hurricane Helene, with Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and others offering customers the opportunity to rebook.
No, the airport remained open, although there were flight cancellations and delays.
The governor of Georgia urged people to stay off the roads and declared a State of Emergency to free up resources. Emergency response teams were also put in place.
Yes, a Flood Warning was issued for the Chattahoochee River, and Peachtree Creek overflew its banks.
