Almost 10,000 flights have been cancelled for the weekend across the US as monster storm Fern is expected to wreak havoc across much of the country.
As many as 3,684 flights were cancelled as of 9:30 a.m. EST on Saturday, according to FlightAware.com and on Sunday, 6,271 flights were cancelled, which could mark the most flight cancellations in a day since the COVID-19 pandemic, CBS News reporter Kris Van Cleave said.
Another 5,000 flights were reportedly delayed as of Sunday. Airports that saw triple-digit cancellations include Nashville, Atlanta and Chicago O’Hare.
American Airlines bears the brunt
American Airlines has seen the brunt of the disruptions on Saturday, with 822 flight cancellations and 30 delays, according to FlightAware. Southwest Airlines was shown to be the second most impacted airline with 571 cancellations and 33 delays, followed by Delta Airlines with 165 cancellations and 33 delays. United Airlines is the least impacted of the four, but still has 150 cancellations and 45 delays, Fox News reported.
In a video released by the agency on social media, Air Traffic Watch Officer Joshua Jennings explained the efforts taken to ensure safety, including snow removal and the de-icing of aircraft. Additionally, the FAA is urging Americans to check its website for updates on airport information.
18 states trigger emergency responses
At least 18 states had issued emergency disaster declarations, including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Washington DC has also declared a state of emergency.
The National Weather Service said more than 144 million people are under winter storm warnings with the potential for significant snow or ice impacts across much of the South and Northeast, along with portions of the Midwest and Great Plains.
Trump reacts to storm
President Donald Trump shared the NWS message on Truth Social and said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was ready to respond.
“I have been briefed on the record cold wave and historic winter storm that will be hitting much of the United States this weekend. The Trump Administration is coordinating with state and local officials. FEMA is fully prepared to respond,” Trump wrote, adding, “Stay safe and stay warm!”