Florida declares state of emergency in preparation for Hurricane Helene — here's what you need to know
Florida has declared a state of emergency for 41 of the state's 67 counties ahead of Hurricane Helene potentially making landfall as it heads west through the Caribbean.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Tropical Storm Helene is the eighth storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, and state officials are warning visitors and residents alike to prepare before the storm strengthens.
The latest update from The Weather Channels predicts that Tropical Storm Helene will strengthen "into a large, dangerous hurricane before it strikes Florida's Gulf Coast Thursday night."
If you are traveling to a destination that could potentially be affected, here's what you need to know.
Here’s where the storm is headed
Tropical storm alerts have been issued for parts of the Yucatan Peninsula, western Cuba and Grand Cayman, signaling potential for tropical storm and hurricane conditions within the next 36-48 hours.
Additionally, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued various storm surge alerts for the Gulf Coast in Florida.
At the time of publication, the storm was about 200 miles southeast of Cozumel, south of Cancun, Mexico.
How to rearrange your trip
If you're headed to one of the aforementioned destinations this week or next, you're likely wondering how this will affect your trip.
Unfortunately, you cannot assume that you will automatically be able to cancel your trip and be reimbursed for this potential storm, according to SquareMouth, which provides comparisons of travel insurance plans from major U.S. providers.
If your hotel is still open and running, you will still be responsible for paying for your reservation, assuming you did not book a refundable rate. The only situation when a hotel would cancel for you is if an impending storm makes your hotel uninhabitable or if it has no electricity or running water.
Even if your hotel reservation and airline bookings are nonrefundable, it's still worth calling to see if there's any recourse. For example, try contacting your airline to see if you can get an earlier or later flight to your intended destination.
Be sure to monitor your airline's website, as it might offer waivers to change flights for free at affected airports. At the time of writing, American Airlines and United Airlines have issued waivers for travel through Friday.
Can you still buy travel insurance?
Once a tropical storm or hurricane has been named, it's too late to buy travel insurance, which is the case with Helene.
Thus, travel insurance experts recommend purchasing travel insurance coverage when booking a trip, particularly to destinations vulnerable to storms during hurricane season.
Otherwise, it'll likely be too late.
If you procured travel insurance beforehand, know that insurance plans vary in coverage, including whether they offer trip cancellation coverage, trip interruption coverage, trip delay coverage, and baggage loss and delay coverage.
This is also the case for credit cards with trip delay insurance, which may or may not apply to weather events such as hurricanes.
Bottom line
If you act quickly enough, you might be able to salvage some of your travel to Florida this week as Helene creates potential disruption.
Although you are not guaranteed anything beyond the stated terms and conditions of your travel reservations and the credit card you used to book your trip, it can be helpful to contact your airline, hotel or credit card company directly for assistance.
For more helpful tips on navigating travel during hurricane season, read:
- Top travel mistakes to avoid during hurricane season
- Hurricane season is here: TPG’s storm guide for travelers
- Cruising during hurricane season: What to know — and should you go?
- Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?
- Is travel insurance worth it?
- Flight canceled or delayed? Here's what to do next
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.