- Passengers trapped at Chicago O’Hare Airport amid severe tornado warning.
- American and Spirit Airlines passengers reported stuck on the tarmac.
- Operations halted as the airport deals with strong winds and shelter-in-place orders.
Imagine being stuck on a plane while a tornado is barrelling down on you. That was the terrifying reality for travellers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport when a severe tornado warning brought operations to a screeching halt.
Severe tornado warning halts operations at Chicago O’Hare International Airport
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On a stormy Monday night at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, chaos erupted as a tornado warning left passengers and staff scrambling for safety.
The warning hit with winds reaching up to 90 mph (145 km/h), forcing the air traffic control tower to evacuate and leaving passengers stranded on planes and in terminals.
Courtney Mares, a correspondent for the Catholic News Agency, shared her harrowing experience on social media.
“Our plane is sitting on the runway at Chicago O’Hare right now while everyone’s phones receive multiple tornado warnings,” she tweeted.
The situation grew more intense as she described the plane shaking violently, blown back and forth by the relentless wind.
The captain’s announcement did little to soothe frayed nerves: “Air traffic control and ground control have evacuated.”
American Airlines passengers, along with those from Spirit Airlines, found themselves trapped on the apron, unable to deplane due to the severe weather.
As the storm raged on, passengers expressed their anxiety and frustration over the delay and the perilous conditions.
Inside the terminal, the scene was no less chaotic.
A shelter-in-place order had been issued, and travellers were advised to stay put for their safety.
The airport, typically bustling with activity, was eerily still as everyone took cover.
The sudden halt in operations affected countless flights, leading to cancellations and delays that rippled across the country.