flights canceled
Nearly 1,000 flights within, to and from the United States were canceled on Tuesday as a deadly ice storm swept through parts of the South.
The storm was concentrated in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, leaving the region hardest hit by travel issues, with 288 flights canceled at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, according to flight tracking in Flight Aware line.
The region is home to both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines and as of Tuesday morning at least 319 Southwest flights were listed as canceled, along with 308 American Airlines flights. At least 90 Southwest flights were delayed, while 29 American Airlines flights were also listed as delayed, according to FlightAware.
The Federal Aviation Administration warned that freezing rain and ice could slow flights at Dallas-Fort Worth International and Memphis International airports.
One person has died in Austin after a weather-related multi-vehicle collision, according to Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services.
“Almost all of the crashes we’re currently responding to are weather-related,” a spokesperson told NBC News. “Basically all of the elevated roadways and overpasses in the Austin area and Travis County are frozen.”
The ice storm was expected to be “prolonged and significant” and “continue to impact a wide area from the southern plains to the Tennessee Valley,” according to the National Weather Service.
He said the “dangerous” ice storm is expected to continue through at least early Thursday, bringing cold air, freezing rain and sleet, as well as chaos and travel delays.
“Total ice accretion greater than 0.25″ is likely from west Texas to west Tennessee, with localized areas receiving up to 0.75,” the weather service said. This amount of ice , he warned, could lead to dangerous travel conditions, as well as damage to trees and scattered power outages in the hardest hit regions.
Sleet accumulations of about a half-inch or more are also possible from west Texas to Arkansas, which the weather service says could lead to “treacherous” travel conditions.
Ice storm warnings, winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been issued in affected areas, he said, warning travelers to check road conditions before heading anywhere and drive with extreme caution.
Colin Sheley contributed.
