Impacts to travel from Hurricane Helene

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- As Hurricane Helene hits the US South and restrictions to travel plans are on the minds of many Americans, NEWS10 is checking in with the passengers at the Albany International Airport to see how things are taking off, there.

“We may be still here and still home watching you guys. Cheers!” exclaimed Jennifer Kirch.

Travel plans have been interrupted but some Capital Region travelers made it out just in time.

Jennifer, her husband and her father-in-law checked in for their flight to Milwaukee with a connector in Atlanta. “It'd be nice if we knew here, that we're not leaving here, tonight. And we’d just stay here instead and try again tomorrow. But if we get stuck in Atlanta, then so be it,” said Kirch’s husband.

Jennifer, with concerns of her own said, “Do I have to cancel my hotel or change my rental car? That's basically my only concern.”  NEWS10 Reporter James De La Fuente then asked the father-in-law, “This one doesn't bother you?” to which he responded, “Not at all.”

Another passenger who was on his way to Canada just got off the phone with his boss, in Tampa around 6 o’clock before checking in for his flight. “He said it did get pretty bad today. There was a bit of potential flooding in the area. So, yeah, hopefully, it's nothing too bad. But that's what I heard today,” said Manmeet Singh.

A woman near the baggage claim area who was waiting for her sister to arrive from Florida said her flight had a layover in Baltimore, but it would be on time.

Steve Smith, Spokesperson with Albany County International Airport says, "As Hurricane Helene makes its way to Florida's gulf coast, some airports in Florida have already begun to take necessary precautions. At ALB, we're reminding air travelers flying to or from the State of Florida to make sure they check directly with their airline for any potential cancellations or delays as a result of this major storm.”

The American Red Cross is sending New York volunteers to help with the aftermath of the storm. “Right now, they're in staging areas mostly in Georgia. And once the hurricane has made landfall, then individuals will be deployed to the areas where they're needed the most,” said Mary Alice Molgard, Disaster Public Affairs Team Lead, American Red Cross of Northeastern New York. She does not believe the storm will impact us here in N.Y. that much. “Looking at the track of the storm, it's likely going to go up into Kentucky and Tennessee and then as the situations warrant it, we may be deploying volunteers into those areas as well.”