Franklin made landfall a second time in Mexico as the first hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic season before weakening to a tropical storm.
According to the latest forecast from Accuweather, the storm made landfall early Thursday morning as a Category 1 hurricane near Lechuguillas in Veracruz. Although it has since weakened to a tropical storm and is expected to weaken rapidly as it moves inland, the storm is still expected to produce flooding and mudslides that could pose a significant risk to lives and property through Thursday. Additionally, costal areas near where the storm made landfall could continue to experience tree and property damage, and the power could be out for some time in certain areas. On the Yucatan Peninsula, where the storm initially made landfall, the weather has improved and cleanup operations are underway. The system is also expected to bring rain to the Bahamas and parts of Florida Thursday.
Flight Updates
Airlines are continuing to issue change and cancellation waivers for passengers whose flights are impacted by the storm.
American Airlines will waive the change fee for travelers flying through Mexico City and Puebla, Mexico, if they bought their ticket by August 9 and are scheduled to travel August 9 – 11, with rebooked travel to take place through August 13 between the same city pair in the same cabin (or pay the difference).
United Airlines is waiving the change fee and any difference in fare for travelers flying through Belize City, Belize; Cancun; Cozumel; Merida; Puebla; Tampico; and Veracruz. Customers must have been booked to fly August 8 – 10 and rebooked travel must take place through August 13 between the same city pair in the same cabin.
Cruise Itinerary Changes
Tropical Storm Franklin has also forced Carnival Cruise Line to alter itineraries on the Carnival Breeze and Carnival Fantasy, a representative from the cruise line tells Travel Agent.
On Carnival Breeze’s seven-day itinerary from Galveston, instead of calling at Cozumel, Belize and Roatan, Honduras, on August 8 through 10, the ship will call at Roatan, Belize and Cozumel August 9 through 10. The remainder of the days will be spent at sea.
On Carnival Fantasy’s five-day cruise from Mobile, the ship will reverse the order of its Costa Maya and Cozumel calls that were planned for August 9 and 10, calling at Cozumel first instead of Costa Maya.
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