A powerful winter storm sweeping across the eastern United States has led to thousands of flight cancellations and delays, compounding travel chaos at major airports already affected by a partial government shutdown. By late Monday, FlightAware reported 9,112 delays and 4,763 cancellations nationwide.
The storm dumped up to 36 inches of snow in the Midwest and is now threatening the East Coast with high winds and the potential for long-track tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service. The severe weather risk stretches from southern Pennsylvania to central South Carolina, including Washington DC, Baltimore, Richmond and Raleigh.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered ground stops at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta and Charlotte Douglas airports, along with ground delays at JFK and Newark Liberty. Travelers faced long waits and frustration, with some sleeping on airport floors after last-minute cancellations.
The disruptions come as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers missed their first full paycheck due to a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. Over 300 TSA agents have quit since the shutdown began, leading to longer security lines at some airports. Aaron Barker, a union leader, said officers are dealing with eviction notices and empty bank accounts.
Airports including New Orleans' Louis Armstrong advised passengers to arrive at least three hours early due to the shutdown's impact. The storm is expected to affect more than 200 million people, with blizzard conditions in the Midwest and severe thunderstorms across the East.
