Chicago airports cancel 270 flights for snowstorm

In-bound flights at the region's busiest air traffic hub were being held up by an average of 90 minutes due to the snow and ice, according to the airline tracking website FlightAware.com.

Numerous accidents and two deaths were being blamed on the icy, slushy roadways.

A medical helicopter crashed early today in Oklahoma City, killing two people on board and injuring a third. It was not immediately clear whether the conditions were a factor. The National Weather Service said conditions were clear at the time.

Meanwhile, all flights at Kansas City International Airport were cancelled last night and officials said they had prepare to reopen today morning.

On the other side of the state in St Louis, more than 320 flights at Lambert Airport were cancelled.

The storm brought some relief to a region that has been dealing with its worst drought in decades.