Over 1,600 flights canceled on Monday as Tropical Storm Beryl impacts the U.S.

Flight cancellations are soaring as Hurricane Beryl threatens the Texas Gulf Coast. Airlines have canceled over 1,600 flights on Monday due to the storm, which is causing heavy rainfall and strong winds across the U.S., creating hazardous travel conditions in various regions.

Coastal areas in Texas have been hit hardest by the storm on Monday, following Beryl's landfall overnight as a Category 1 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.

These travel disruptions follow a record-setting day at U.S. airports. On Sunday, the Transportation Security Administration screened over three million passengers, marking the highest number in its history, as travelers returned home after the Fourth of July festivities.

Cancellations peak in Houston

Flight disruptions on Monday are primarily affecting Houston's two main airports.

At Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), 90% of flights have been canceled for Monday, totaling nearly 600 cancellations by 4:30 p.m. EDT, as reported by flight-tracking service FlightAware.

Ahead of Monday, the airport utilized social media to alert passengers about the upcoming disruptions. They announced efforts to "streamline operations" during the storm. United Airlines is operating from Terminal C, while Terminal B is temporarily shut down. The TSA checkpoint in Terminal D is also functioning at reduced capacity, according to airport officials.

Photos shared on Monday afternoon revealed a fallen tree that blocked access to a road near the airport at one point.

United Airlines, operating a significant hub at Houston's Intercontinental, tops the list of U.S. airlines with nearly 500 cancellations on Monday, representing about 16% of its operations, according to FlightAware data.

Southwest Airlines follows closely with over 340 cancellations across its network, accounting for approximately 7% of its Monday schedule. As the leading airline at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), around 80% of its departures have been scrapped for Monday.

Need Assistance? Here's what you should do if your flight is canceled or delayed

Airlines provide flexible options

In response to the storm, several airlines have issued travel alerts. These notifications typically grant customers additional flexibility when traveling to, from, or between certain affected locations. This can assist travelers in modifying their itineraries even when holding the most restrictive tickets. Notably, both United and Southwest have issued alerts for major Texas airports, including Houston's two primary airports, as well as Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and San Antonio International Airport (SAT).

The flight disruptions caused by Beryl in the U.S. follow a path of devastation in parts of the Caribbean and Latin America. The storm inflicted considerable damage in Jamaica before moving on to Mexico, leading to significant flight cancellations over the weekend at Cancun International Airport (CUN) and Tulum's new Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO). Fortunately, the region avoided more severe consequences, as reported.

The disruptions experienced in the U.S. on Monday come after over 600 cancellations on Sunday, coinciding with the TSA screening a record 3.01 million passengers, surpassing its previous single-day high set in late June.

Be Prepared

If you're planning to travel on Monday, make sure to heed the advice of the National Weather Service and local officials when deciding whether to go to an airport or travel to areas that may be impacted.

Download your airline's app and keep a close watch for any signs of issues, along with options for rebooking if your travel plans are impacted.

Familiarize yourself with your rights as a passenger. Remember, according to U.S. Department of Transportation policy, you are entitled to a refund for any unused part of your journey if your flight is canceled or significantly delayed. This applies only if you choose not to fly and decline any rebooking from the airline.

If you experience travel disruptions due to the storm, check if you have a travel insurance policy or trip insurance benefits through a credit card that could help you recover any costs. Generally, you need to have purchased insurance before the storm was named to be eligible for claims. Moreover, if your travel insurance is linked to a credit card, you must have booked the trip with that card to access the benefits.

Additionally, if you have a flight scheduled for Tuesday, it’s wise to plan ahead. Airlines have already canceled nearly 100 flights in the U.S. for July 9, including several departures from Houston's Intercontinental Airport.