Rhed is right, St. Pete-Clearwater is the closest regional airport, but they don't serve major airlines. They mostly serve smaller airlines like Allegiant. If you're looking for a "major" airport, it'd be Tampa (TIA), there is shuttle van service through Supershuttle or you could rent a car and...
The chances of a hurricane in October here are slim to none....simply because by then the water is too cold in the Atlantic to affect us. Sean's right, though, if we do get something, it'll be rain and that's about it. :cheese