A powerful winter storm sweeping across the Midwest and South has wreaked havoc on air travel in the United States, resulting in over 2,000 flights being canceled and more than 2,400 delayed, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at various airports. The disruptions were particularly pronounced in the Midwest and South regions, where the storm’s impact was most severe.
According to data from the flight tracking website FlightAware.com, the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago witnessed the cancellation of nearly 40% of flights, while Chicago Midway International Airport canceled around 60% of both outbound and inbound flights. Other affected airports included Denver International and Milwaukee Mitchell International.
The grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 planes, mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), also contributed to the flight disruptions. Over 200 United and Alaska Airlines flights were canceled each day due to the ongoing grounding, with the FAA and Boeing working on an inspection protocol to allow the planes to resume flying.
Southwest, which doesn’t operate the 737 Max 9, experienced the highest number of cancellations, with nearly 400 flights grounded, according to FlightAware. The winter storm’s adverse conditions were the primary cause of most cancellations, with severe weather affecting multiple regions.
The storm not only impacted air travel but also led to significant power outages in the affected areas. Over 250,000 homes and businesses experienced power outages, particularly in the Great Lakes and South regions. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport reported wind gusts as high as 55 mph, contributing to the widespread power disruptions.
Severe thunderstorms in the South, blizzard conditions in the Midwest, and strong wind gusts affected over 150 million Americans, prompting wind alerts across the region. The storm caused considerable damage to the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park bell house in Maine, dating back to the 19th century. Winds of up to 79 mph demolished most of the structure, leaving only one wall standing.
Officials are racing against time to prevent further damage to the historic landmark, and steps have been taken to secure the remaining structure. The bell house, built in 1897 to store a 1,000-pound bell, played a crucial role in alerting sailors during foggy conditions.
As the storm continues to impact travel and infrastructure, authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of passengers and minimize the damage caused by severe weather conditions.
Sources By Agencies
