Additional Coverage:
Winter Storm Wreaks Havoc on Thanksgiving Travel Across the Nation
A powerful winter storm system has thrown a wrench into Thanksgiving weekend travel plans across the heart of the United States, causing widespread disruptions, including a 45-car pileup in Indiana and a Delta flight skidding off a runway in Iowa. The storm, impacting one of the busiest travel periods of the year, has brought heavy snow, strong winds, and thunderstorms to various regions.
As of Saturday evening, parts of the Midwest have been blanketed with over a foot of snow, with locations in Iowa reporting significant accumulations. Illinois, including Chicago suburbs, has seen around 5 inches and is bracing for more, with storm totals projected to reach between 6 and 14 inches. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for dangerous travel conditions, particularly for the Chicago area, where a rapid burst of snowfall is expected Sunday morning, severely reducing visibility.
In Indiana, a massive 45-car pileup involving both commercial and passenger vehicles occurred on Interstate 78 on Sunday. Miraculously, no serious injuries were reported, according to Indiana State Police.
Sergeant Matt Ames urged residents to prioritize safety, advising them to stay home if possible and to drive cautiously if travel is essential. “People just need to drive smart when the snow starts falling, reduce your speed, make sure you’re buckled up, and let’s just all be safe out there,” Ames stated, noting that the interstate would be shut down for approximately six hours for cleanup operations.
Meanwhile, in Iowa, Delta Air Lines flight 5087 experienced a runway excursion at Des Moines International Airport on Saturday night. The aircraft slid off the end of a runway while turning onto a taxiway due to icy conditions.
All passengers were safely deplaned and transported to the terminal, and no injuries were reported. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident.
Delta emphasized its commitment to safety, apologizing to customers for the experience.
The storm system is now shifting eastward, with rain and snow expected to impact the eastern third of the country by Sunday morning. The interior Northeast, northern New England, and the Appalachian Mountains are under various winter alerts, anticipating 2 to 6 inches of snowfall. Parts of the East Coast, including cities like Cleveland, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Charlotte, and Atlanta, are forecast to experience cold rain from mid-morning through early evening, potentially affecting travel.
Travel disruptions have been significant, with over 1,600 flights within, to, and from the U.S. delayed and 488 canceled on Sunday alone. Chicago O’Hare International Airport has been particularly hard hit, accounting for more than 200 cancellations and 144 delays.
Crowds have been building at O’Hare as travelers attempt to catch up after over 1,000 cancellations on Saturday. The road leading into the airport was heavily congested, and TSA precheck lines appeared to stretch endlessly.
Social media videos from the airport’s tarmac on Saturday showed runways covered in snow.
Among those affected were sisters Rima and Jasmin Eid, whose flight from Chicago to Miami was delayed three times on Saturday. The sisters were attempting to surprise their mother with a birthday cruise.
“We’re trying to get everything planned out, but unfortunately, we’re very delayed, and they will not help us because we’re basic economy,” Rima explained. “They said we will not accommodate any changes.”
The sisters expressed their frustration, stuck at the airport and hoping their flight would eventually depart. “It’s very frustrating and very upsetting,” Jasmin added.