Did a Winter Storm Disrupt Holiday Travel Across the US?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Severe winter storm disrupts travel across the Northeastern US and Great Lakes.
- Over 5,580 flights delayed and 860 canceled.
- Emergency declarations made in New York and New Jersey.
- Power outages affect over 30,000 homes in Michigan.
- Travelers urged to exercise caution and stay informed.
New York, Dec 28 (NationPress) A powerful winter storm has swept through the Northeastern United States and the Great Lakes region from Friday evening to Saturday, resulting in significant snowfall that disrupted holiday travel plans and left tens of thousands without electricity.
By 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, over 5,580 flights within, to, or from the United States experienced delays, with at least 860 cancellations, as reported by flight-tracking service FlightAware, according to the Xinhua news agency.
The extensive delays and cancellations were primarily caused by the severe weather, affecting three major airports in the New York metropolitan area particularly hard.
The Federal Aviation Administration noted that flights arriving at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport faced average delays of around two hours on Saturday morning.
Winter storm warnings were issued across areas from New York to Philadelphia, with residents and travelers advised to exercise caution due to the adverse weather conditions.
This formidable storm struck just before the busiest travel day of the holiday season, with an estimated 2.86 million individuals expected to fly on Sunday, based on data from the Transportation Security Administration.
In anticipation of the storm, governors of New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency, advising travelers to stay informed about weather updates and road closures while adhering to safety measures.
In Michigan, over 30,000 homes and businesses reported power outages on Saturday morning, as ice accumulation weighed down trees and power lines.