Flight Cancellations and Delays Impact Spring Break Travelers
Severe weather conditions hit the Chicago region and its surrounding areas causing disruption to both air and ground travel. The National Weather Service issued a warning of a “particularly dangerous situation” with potential for intense tornadoes, which impacted travel plans of over 2.56 million travelers looking to enjoy their Spring break and Holy week vacation. According to the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Fly Chicago website, more than 250 flights were canceled at Midway International Airport and O’Hare International Airport due to thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy rainfall.
The storms come at a time when O’Hare airport is experiencing an increase in passenger volume with over 6.7% compared to last year’s Spring break travel period while Midway sees a significant surge of 19.1%. The airports are working tirelessly to restore operations to normal, with passengers advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Suburbs Suffer Floods, Power Outages, and Roof Collapse During Concert
Apart from travel disruptions, severe weather conditions also led to flash floods and power outages across the suburbs of Northern Illinois. One such incident occurred during a rock concert at the Apollo Theater in Belvidere where a roof collapse killed one person and injured twenty-eight others. While no tornado touchdowns were reported in the suburbs, the National Weather Service had earlier warned residents of the potential dangers posed by intense tornadoes.
ComEd is working tirelessly to restore power first to infrastructure facilities followed by customers affected by the outage. The Naperville Fire Department has also been deployed to respond swiftly should there be any down trees or electrical fires caused by strong winds.
Severe Weather Continues To Pose A Threat To The Central USA
The severe weather conditions are not yet over, and the National Weather Service anticipates additional rounds of thunderstorms in different areas. With gusty winds of up to 50 miles per hour, the storms also have a high potential to be severe with frequent lightning, torrential downpours, and limited hail risk. There is a possibility of rain-wrapped tornadoes that could cause tree damage and power outages.
The Weather Service cautions residents to stay alert and prepared for the inclement weather conditions by ensuring their homes have necessary emergency supplies such as flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable food items should power outages occur.
Conclusion
Severe weather conditions continue to cause havoc in many states across the central USA. Traveling during this busy period has experienced significant disruptions leading to inconvenience, delays, financial loss, and even fatalities. It is essential for individuals interested in traveling during this period or residing in the affected areas to stay updated and take precautionary measures to ensure their safety.
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