How Hurricane Helene Could Disrupt Travel For OU-Auburn Game

Hurricane Helene will make landfall as a Category 3 storm on Thursday and could significantly affect travel to the state.

This includes anyone looking to travel from Oklahoma to Alabama for OU’s game against Auburn. This will be the first SEC road game for the Sooners, with both teams coming off losses in their conference openers.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and will be the first meeting for the teams since the 2017 Sugar Bowl.

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The storm is projected to move across the southeastern U.S., impacting Alabama with heavy rains, strong winds, and potential flooding, especially in the latter half of the week. Based on the storm’s projected path, Auburn is in the path for some effects, but the brunt of the storm should weaken before reaching the area.

Still, the city is expected to see heavy rain and strong winds with the potential for flooding through Thursday.

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According to CBS News, many airlines, including Delta and Southwest, have issued travel waivers for flights through Alabama and other southeastern states.

If you are planning to travel, it’s advised to monitor airline and road updates and consider rebooking if necessary, as travel could be disrupted due to both the storm’s landfall and its impact on surrounding regions.

If you are planning to drive to Auburn, expect a good amount of rain on Thursday and some on Friday. Auburn should be mostly dry and cloudy on Saturday, based on the current forecasts.

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As of 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, more than 200 flights out of Tampa International had been canceled, according to flight tracker FlightAware. Other airports with multiple flight cancellations include: 

1. Southwest Florida International near Fort Myers
2. Hartsfield-Jackson International near Atlanta
3. Sarasota/Bradenton International near Sarasota, Florida
4. St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Florida