Tampa International Airport has announced that it will be shutting down on Tuesday ahead of the approaching Tropical Storm Idalia. The storm is forecasted to become a major hurricane before hitting Florida's Gulf Coast. The airport will stop all commercial flights after midnight and will be closed to visitors. The closure is necessary to secure jet bridges, equipment, and aircraft before the storm makes landfall on Wednesday.

One of the biggest concerns for the airport is the potential storm surge, which is expected to be between four to seven feet. The airport's operations director emphasized the importance of suspending operations in order to prevent further damage and ensure a swift recovery. Some private and cargo flights will continue early Tuesday morning, but all air traffic will stop by 7 a.m.

Travelers are advised to check with their airlines regarding flight delays and cancellations. Tampa International Airport expects to reopen on Thursday morning, but this is subject to change depending on the assessment of storm damages and potential road closures. St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is also monitoring the storm but has not announced any closures at this time.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.