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Winter storm cancels flights at PBIA

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For travelers around the nation, rough weather means getting to their final destination hasn't been easy.  

"We flew out of DC, we we're supposed to fly out tomorrow," says traveler Eileen Sherman.
 
"They moved us to today, Friday afternoon, and that flight was canceled. So they bumped us up to a morning flight, which was delayed two or three hours." 
 
In some cases, it's been downright impossible. 
 
"The guy out front said 'Where you going?' We told him and he said 'Your flight was canceled 5 minutes ago!'" says Kathy Hartman, who was trying to fly to Newark.
 
Her flight was one of 30 canceled Friday at PBIA, in addition to dozens of delays. 
 
Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International not fairing any better - with 75 cancellations. 
 
An Airport spokesperson told us some delays at the airport lasting as long as 10 hours and 15 minutes. 
 
A sign that the ripple effects of the powerful East cost storm are being felt in South Florida. 
 
"Very heavy winds, lots of blowing, and it's starting tonight and not gonna stop till Sunday morning," says Anecia Delduco, who was picking up her kids from a flight from Philadelphia.

She says it was a close call. 
 
"I think we have one of the last flights out of Philadelphia," she says. "So I'm glad the kids made it." 
 
After a week of golf, Joan Silverman is waiting to see if she'll make it back to New York. 
 
"Trouble is we shipped our golf clubs back already," she says.
 
Her flight has been delayed several times, but she was hoping to catch a late flight on Friday night.  
 
If not, it may mean an extended South Florida vacation. 
 
"We're planning to just to hunker down here if we have to," Silverman says. "If we don't get out on this plane, I think that's it." 

The Associated Press is reporting that flights to and from those affected areas are expected to resume on Sunday.

Also, travel experts say Saturday is traditionally the slowest travel day of the week, with 5,000 fewer flights than Thursday and Friday - which equates to 400,000 fewer passengers.

 

 

EARLIER STORY:

A winter storm moving across the country could make for a stressful day for travelers headed out of South Florida.

RELATED: Check local flight times | Storm Team 5 Weather | Radar | Download: Storm Shield & WPTV app

Dozens of flights were canceled Friday morning at Palm Beach International Airport.  That number is expected to climb as the day goes on.

As of noon, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport had 60 delayed flights and 64 cancelations. 

Major airlines like Delta, United and American are offering travel waivers, so travelers won’t have to pay a fee for changing flights.

There are some conditions though, so check with your airline ahead of time.

The travel waivers only work for flights headed to or from certain airports impacted by the winter storm.

Remember to check with the airline before you head to the airport to see if your flight is canceled.