A powerful winter storm is wreaking havoc across the United States, as evidenced by a 45-car pile-up on Interstate 78 in Indiana and a Delta flight skidding off the runway in Iowa. These incidents come during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, specifically the Thanksgiving weekend, affecting millions of travelers. As of Sunday morning, approximately 25 million people remain under winter weather alerts as the storm system unleashes over a foot of snow and powerful winds in the Midwest while also generating thunderstorms in the South.
As of 11 a.m. Sunday, snowfall totals have reached alarming heights, with reports of 15 inches in Fort Dodge, Iowa, 13 inches in Lancaster, Wisconsin, and a significant foot of snow in Pana, Illinois. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for the Chicago area, indicating that a quick burst of snowfall will lead to dangerous travel conditions due to reduced visibility on the roads.
In Indiana, the 45-car pile-up involved both commercial and passenger vehicles, but fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, according to the Indiana State Police. Sergeant Matt Ames urged residents to remain at home if possible and to drive safely if travel is necessary. "People just need to drive smart when the snow starts falling," Ames stated, emphasizing the importance of reducing speed and wearing seat belts. He also mentioned that the interstate would be shut down for approximately six hours to facilitate cleanup efforts.
Meanwhile, in Iowa, Delta Air Lines flight 5087 slid off the end of a runway while attempting to turn onto a taxiway due to icy conditions at Des Moines International Airport on Saturday night. Passengers were safely deplaned and taken to a terminal, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident. Delta Airlines issued a statement prioritizing safety and apologizing to their customers, confirming that no injuries occurred.
As the storm progresses, rain and snow are expected to shift into the eastern third of the country on Sunday morning, with conditions gradually moving offshore by evening. Areas such as the interior Northeast, northern New England, and the Appalachian Mountains are under various winter alerts, predicting snowfall between 2 to 8 inches. Meanwhile, parts of the East Coast may experience cold rain throughout the day, potentially impacting travel in major cities including Cleveland, Buffalo, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta.
As of Sunday afternoon, over 4,200 flights traveling into, within, and from the U.S. have experienced delays, with an additional 572 cancellations reported by FlightAware.com. Chicago O’Hare International Airport has been significantly affected, accounting for over 250 cancellations and 771 delays. John F. Kennedy International Airport has also seen 70 cancellations and 171 delays. Travelers at O’Hare faced long lines and crowded terminals as they attempted to navigate the aftermath of over 1,000 cancellations from the previous day.
Video footage from the airport's tarmac, shared on social media, showed runways heavily blanketed in snow. Sisters Rima and Jasmin Eid, who had their flight from Chicago to Miami delayed three times on Saturday, expressed their frustrations. They aimed to surprise their mother with a birthday cruise but found themselves stuck at the airport without assistance due to their basic economy tickets. "It’s very frustrating and very upsetting," Jasmin remarked, highlighting the difficulties faced by travelers amid the winter storm.
As the storm continues to impact travel plans across the nation, authorities urge everyone to stay safe and consider avoiding unnecessary travel during these hazardous conditions.