RSW travelers face cancellations as Northeast storm disrupts flights

A powerful winter storm is currently impacting a large portion of the Northeast, causing significant disruptions at airports across the country.

More than 5,000 flights have been canceled nationwide, including several at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).

At RSW, at least 30 departure flights have been canceled. These flights were headed to destinations such as Boston, Newark and LaGuardia Airport. On the arrival side, at least 25 flights have been canceled from the same areas, as well as from Philadelphia and Hartford.

Anne Fowler, who was flying to Portland, Maine, shared her concerns about the weather. She said her area is expected to receive about 10 inches of snow.

"It's always a crap shoot when you're flying, now more than ever. We're hoping for the best," said Fowler. "We had to rebook, because we were supposed to leave this afternoon, and we have our fingers crossed."

Yvonne Shapelow, who lives about an hour and a half from Baltimore, had her flight canceled on Sunday due to the storm. She managed to rebook for the morning and is monitoring the situation at home via her Ring camera.

"Everything's a green light. I'm ready to go," said Shapelow. "Yesterday was not. In our hometown, they lost electricity, so hopefully that'll be turned on too when we get home, if we get home."

Travelers are advised to check with their specific airlines for updates on flight cancellations and rebookings. Flight cancellations are expected to increase throughout the day as the storm continues to affect the Northeast.

For those planning to fly, staying informed about the latest developments is crucial.