Columbus flights, show canceled due to Hurricane Helene. Businesses, offices closed
The following businesses and offices in the Columbus, Ga., area are closing due to the severe weather forecast in advance of Hurricane Helene.
As of 6:53 p.m. Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center predicted Helene will be a Category 4 storm when it makes landfall Thursday in Florida, with a 20-foot storm surge and 130-mph wind.
The National Weather Service forecast warned Columbus had the potential for wind 74 to 110 mph and flooding from 4 to 8 inches of rain.
Here are the announced business and office closings or schedule changes, as well as event cancellations, as of Thursday afternoon. If you have a news item to add to this list, please email newsroom@ledger-enquirer.com.
Chattahoochee Valley Libraries
All branches of the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries will close Thursday at 6 p.m. They will reopen Friday at 1 p.m.
Meanwhile, all of CVL’s digital materials are available 24/7 on its website.
Walmart
The customer service operator answering the phone at the Walmart on Manchester Expressway said the store is closing early, at 6 p.m. Thursday, and opening late, at 8 a.m. Friday. Normal hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
MercyMed
MercyMed announced on its Facebook page it will be closed Friday. It plans to open for regular business hours Monday at 8:30 a.m.
Columbus Airport
The Columbus Airport announced on its Facebook page that Delta Air Line flights to Atlanta at 5:13 pm. and 9:37 p.m. are canceled. Delta Flight DL5403 scheduled for Friday at 6:35 a.m. also has been canceled.
Springer Opera House
Thursday’s 7:30 p.m. performance of Jersey Boys at the Springer Opera House has been canceled. Ticket holders are advised to check the website for more information or call the box office at 706-327-3688.
West Central Health District
All West Central Health District locations will close at 2 p.m. Thursday and will remain closed Friday. They plan to reopen Monday at 8 a.m.
This includes Columbus and the following counties: Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor and Webster.
Easterseals West Georgia
Easterseals West Georgia will be open Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for its children’s and adult programs.
Friday, those programs will have delayed openings. They will start at 9 a.m.
Columbus Consolidated Government
The Columbus Consolidated Government said all offices and city operations will remain open Thursday and Friday this week, but city department heads and elected officials have the authority to use discretion and flexibility regarding office hours and operations to include the option for employees working virtually.
Georgia Department of Labor
The Columbus office for the Georgia Department of Labor will be closed Thursday and Friday.
School closings
For a roundup of school closings in the Columbus area, click here.
This story was originally published September 25, 2024 at 7:25 PM.
