How Tropical Storm Barry is impacting travel plans

HOUSTON — Tropical Storm Barry is expected to cause major problems on I-10 through Louisiana and could cause issues for Houston travelers.

Houston makeup artist Shielia Ybarra, her daughter and five friends have been in Cancun since Monday. They are scheduled to return to Houston on Saturday, but now their return flights are in jeopardy.

“I think my husband is a little bit more concerned than I am, but it’s pouring where he is, and we’re here in beautiful Cancun,” Ybarra said.

Travel experts say airlines will offer travel waivers in the event that a “named storm” causes a flight cancellation.

“What would happen if we’re unable to get to Houston because of the storm?” Ybarra asked her travel agent over the phone.

“If you can’t leave, they’re not going to pay for your extra nights at the hotel,” the travel agent said. “That’s going to be on you and the hotel, might find some kind of worthy conditions for you to stay.”

Southwest, Alaska, Frontier and Spirit airlines are offering travel waivers for flyers with destinations or connections in Houston this weekend. More airlines may soon follow suit.

Experts say driving conditions will be dangerous across I-10 in southern Louisiana on Saturday.

KHOU 11 reached out to the Port of Galveston Wednesday to see what cruise ship passengers should expect this weekend, but the port did not return the phone call.

Flight cancellations are many times made on short notice and travelers do not want to get caught in the airport.

The Houston Airport System recommends flyers check the website fly2houston.com for up-to-the-minute flight information.

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Tropical Storm Barry track: Interactive map and expected rainfall