South Florida airports continued to see delays and cancellations Monday as an Arctic blast brought below-zero temperatures to more than half of the U.S.
As of just before 7 p.m., 48 flights had been canceled and another 103 had been delayed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
At Miami International Airport 44 flights had been canceled by about 10 p.m., officials said. Another 33 flights were delayed.
The cities affected include Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, most of the Northeast and even Los Angeles.
Scores of stranded people rested on the terminal floor at MIA, including the Wujciak family from Detroit.
"They are telling us that we can't get another flight until Friday,” Sara Wujciak said. “And I have exams starting next Monday, so my parents want to get me home so I’ll be at school this week – so they want to drive home.”
The drive they were contemplating would take about 24 hours.
Fort Lauderdale airport officials said they are working with the airlines and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau to find discounted hotel rooms for some travelers who may be stranded while they wait for flights to resume.
Hundreds of South Florida flights were affected last week by nasty storms in the Northeast.
Travelers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
"We are coming from a cruise, that way we have warm weather, and then we get here and we see the weather at home, and we're still stuck," said Rhonda Gilmore.
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The Quinlan family from Chicago was fresh off a cruise too, but they kept an eye on the news.
"It could be a lot worse," Michelle Quinlan said. "Well, as I keep trying to tell my kids, we could be stuck in Chicago trying to get someplace warm. I'd much rather be in the sunny warm weather than in -16 degrees trying to get somewhere else."
For Miami International Airport information, click here.
For Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport information, click here.
