As Tropical Storm Debby strengthened off the coast of the Carolinas on Wednesday, its effects are beginning to be felt in the surrounding area: There are more delays and cancellations of flights and the storm begins its journey towards North Jersey.
There is a risk of severe flooding due to a series of cold fronts moving through the region. The remnants of Debby are expected to reach North Jersey by Friday – just in time to wreak havoc on those heading to the airport or returning home from a last-minute summer vacation.
Among the major airlines, United, Delta and American Airlines recorded the most cancellations and delays.
As of early Wednesday afternoon, there were over 2,500 delays nationwide and over 430 were canceled. That number has continued to rise since the morning, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Planes heading into Newark Liberty International Airport were the hardest hit, with 49 flights canceled and 73 delayed. For travelers departing from Newark, 37 flights were canceled and another 52 delayed, according to FlightAware. Travelers departing from LaGuardia on Wednesday were the hardest hit among airports nationwide, with 48 flights canceled and 73 delayed, affecting 21% of departing planes.
What happens if my flight is cancelled?
With cancellations and delays mounting, and with no end likely in sight due to Debby’s arrival in New Jersey, those who need to rebook their flights will also face challenges. Airports are urging customers to check their airline’s status on their websites.
Several airlines are issuing weather-related waivers and offering affected travelers the opportunity to rebook their flight for free. American Airlines, which reported the most delays Wednesday afternoon, is issuing waivers for flights to and from Newark, LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports. Here are other major airlines issuing waivers, each with their own policies:
Will I get a refund for a cancelled flight?
Will you get a refund if your flight is cancelled by the airline? Yes. All airlines are required to offer their customers a refund if their flights are cancelled for any reason. Customers may be entitled to additional compensation if the cancellation is within the airline’s control. Weather is outside the airline’s control.
Track your flight
You can check your flight status on your airline’s website or on FlightAware.
Debby’s impact on North Jersey could be felt quickly
According to the National Weather Service forecast, Tropical Storm Debby would “strengthen somewhat again” on Wednesday afternoon and move towards the southeast again before making landfall on the coast of South Carolina in the evening.
The remnants of Debby are expected to reach North Jersey by Friday, but the system is expected to move out of the Northeast fairly quickly on Saturday, the NWS said in its latest forecast briefing. The forecast for several areas in North Jersey calls for rain Friday and overnight, with skies possibly clearing by midday Saturday.
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This article originally appeared in the New Jersey Herald: Tropical Storm Debby causes impacts at airports in New Jersey and New York
