Hurricane Florence: Travel Alerts Issued For VA Airports

As Hurricane Florence churns slowly but surely toward the East Coast, travel alerts have been issued for dozens of airports, including several in Virginia.

American Airlines posted the list of airports affected, which includes Charlottesville (CHO), Hampton / Newport News (PHF), Lynchburg (LYH), Norfolk (ORF), Richmond (RIC), and Roanoke (ROA).

The travel alert is in effect Sept. 13-16. Those who are scheduled to fly out of one of those airports on those dates can change their flight for free, provided that you bought your ticket by Sept. 10, are traveling on an AA flight, and can travel anytime between Sept. 10-19.

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SEE ALSO: Hurricane Update: Florence May Pound NoVa With Rain

Hurricane Florence has rapidly strengthened to a Category 4 storm with 130 mph winds as of Monday afternoon. Florence may further intensify to 150 mph before landfall, which will most likely happen Thursday night. It is currently headed for the Carolinas, although its track may change.

Delta said in a statement that it is monitoring the hurricane as the storm makes its way closer to the United States.

"At this time, it is too soon to determine the exact location, magnitude and timing of Florence's impact to the airports and communities Delta serves," the statement reads. "This level of detail typically is more predictable within 48 hours of the storm reaching landside. Delta's meteorology team uses a combination of satellite data and a number of storm models created by government agencies worldwide to storm monitor trends."

JetBlue is also offering fee waivers for a few airports, including Richmond's airport.

Should Florence achieve 150 mph winds at landfall, that would make it just shy of a Category 5 storm (156 mph). For comparison, Hurricane Hugo was a Category 4 storm when it slammed into the Carolinas in 1989. Hugo killed dozens of people, left tens of thousands of people homeless, and caused billions of dollars in damage -- it was the most destructive hurricane ever recorded at the time.

It's important to prepare your family, home and business before a storm arrives. Visit https://t.co/5iKSQcE0wc and make sure you #KnowYourZone. #Florence pic.twitter.com/DhNRB4lg7Z
— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) September 9, 2018

ATLANTIC OCEAN - SEPTEMBER 10: In this NOAA satellite handout image, shows Hurricane Florence (C) as it gains strength in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of Bermuda moving west on September 10, 2018. Hurricane Isaac and Helene can be seen to the east of Florence. Weather predictions say the storm will likely hit the U.S. East Coast as early as Thursday, September 13 bringing massive winds and rain. (Photo by NOAA via Getty Images)