Powerful storms cause chaos at local airports ahead of busy July 4 travel week

NEW YORK (WABC) — The line of storms that passed through the Tri-State on Sunday created chaos at area airports, and couldn’t have come at a worse time. This week is expected to break records as millions of people head out of town for July 4 holiday vacations.

When a flight gets canceled during a busy holiday week, that can mean waiting a day or two to get the next available seat. For Jatuan Brown, that means Tuesday.

“We’re trying to get back home from our first time in New York. It was great, we had a great time – but this is not great. We can’t leave until the 2nd,” Brown said.

By sunset, flights were taking off again at Newark Airport, but the schedules were still all off after the strong early evening storms dumped rain and brought gusts that snapped trees.

“All of a sudden my wife said ‘whoa! Come outside!’ and that’s that,” said Joseph Susino.

The storm took out power lines that smoldered and fizzled as a generator hummed. It helped Susino and his family get by after Superstorm Sandy 12 years ago.

“That was a long one. Went almost two weeks – had to go without electricity,” Susino added.

There were sparks and smoke coming from another tree in Teaneck that hit a power line, snarling traffic on Route 4 as fire and utility crews dealt with it.

Air traffic was impacted even more with a packed schedule of full flights this week leading up to the 4th of July without much wiggle room.

Michael Noble got to the airport three hours early for his flight to Atlanta – only to have it be delayed twice and then canceled all together.

“They have to rebook and they’re not giving us vouchers or nothing. What if we don’t have nobody to go to? This airport doesn’t accommodate people that can sit by and just hang out,” Noble said.

Airlines do not offer credits or compensation when weather is the issue, leading to extra frustration this busy travel week for passengers who may not have a place to wait.

One passenger who spoke to Eyewitness News says she has to wait until Tuesday to get a seat on a flight out that is not even leaving from Newark – she has to get to Philadelphia or wait until Wednesday.

Heat indices in parts of the southern U.S. on Sunday are above 100. The Lower Mississippi River Valley is under an Excessive Heat Warning where heat indices could reach up to 118.

ALSO READ | High Line historian reflects on history of beloved NYC park for 15th anniversary

———-

* Get Eyewitness News Delivered

* More Manhattan news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.