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Holiday Travel a Nightmare Thanks to Snow, Ice

Flight cancellations ripple across US; roads not great, either

By the Associated Press

Posted Dec 24, 2008 10:45 AM CST

(AP) – Hundreds of holiday travelers spent the night in the nation's second-busiest airport and others faced delayed or canceled flights and highways choked by snow and ice as storms kept up their assault on northern states. More snow fell today in the Midwest, while the Northwest faced more snow and sleet, with up to 20 inches falling in some places. "We're seeing quite a bit of messiness out there," said one meteorologist.

Today "is going to be an absolute nightmare, both in the air and on the ground," added another. About 500 travelers had to spend the night at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport after stormy weather canceled more than 500 flights yesterday. "My kids are traumatized for life from this," said one traveler, who won't reach home until four days after his scheduled arrival.

A stranded passenger sleeps on the floor of the downtown Seattle Greyhound bus station yesterday following a weekend snowstorm.
A stranded passenger sleeps on the floor of the downtown Seattle Greyhound bus station yesterday following a weekend snowstorm.   (AP Photo)
Travelers surround the ticket windows at Portland International Airport, Dec. 23, 2008, in Portland, Ore. Some 259 flights were canceled Monday, more than a third of what would have flown on average.
Travelers surround the ticket windows at Portland International Airport, Dec. 23, 2008, in Portland, Ore. Some 259 flights were canceled Monday, more than a third of what would have flown on average.   (Rick Bowmer)
Elizabeth Garcia, center, yawns as she waits in the downtown Seattle Greyhound bus station following a weekend snowstorm Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008.
Elizabeth Garcia, center, yawns as she waits in the downtown Seattle Greyhound bus station following a weekend snowstorm Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008.   (Elaine Thompson)
Airline travelers wait in the security gate line at San Francisco International Airport yesterday.
Airline travelers wait in the security gate line at San Francisco International Airport yesterday.   (AP Photo)
Travelers surround the ticket windows at Portland (Ore.) International Airport yesterday.
Travelers surround the ticket windows at Portland (Ore.) International Airport yesterday.   (AP Photo)
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