Tampa International Airport suspends flights during Hurricane Elsa

TAMPA, Fla. - With Hurricane Elsa likely to bring winds of 70 mph or higher, Tampa International Airport suspended operations Tuesday afternoon. TIA expects to reopen Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Janitorial staff members were the only ones in the airport around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Crews were working to make sure any loose outdoor items were secured before leaving the airport empty.

Forecasters say conditions in Tampa will begin to deteriorate Tuesday afternoon as the storm approaches. So passenger flights will be suspended at 5 p.m. Tuesday, and cargo flights will stop at 10 p.m.

Based on the current forecast, the airport plans to resume operations at 10 a.m. Wednesday, giving officials time to look for any overnight storm damage.

Officials say travelers should coordinate with their airlines to get up-to-date flight schedules over the next two to three days.

They also discouraged anyone from coming to the airport for shelter during the storm.

RELATED: Timeline of Tropical Storm Elsa's impacts on Tampa Bay