Storm Still Causing Problems for Commuters, Travelers

Hours after severe storms tore over Chicagoland, its effects were still being felt by many commuters and travelers trying to make their way to their destinations.

Those with flights scheduled out of O'Hare and Midway airports are advised to call ahead as both airports work to get schedules back to normal. 

At 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, delays at O'Hare were averaging about 20 minutes with more than 500 flights canceled.  Midway was faring a bit better, with about two dozen flights delayed about 40 minutes and only "minor" cancelations.

In the midst of the storm, about 340 flights were canceled at the airports. Inside O'Hare's the terminal, gates were evacuated and travelers headed for the underground connecting tunnel between concourses B and C.

On the 'El,' Yellow and Purple line trains were suspended early Wednesday morning for crossing-gate issues and transformer problems.  All lines were operating normally by Wednesday afternoon, the Chicago Transit Authority said.

Fifteen Metra stations were still without power Wednesday afternoon.  This, after high winds and a possible down tree halted at least one train overnight, stranding 400 passengers for hours.

"All the passengers had to wait on the train," train engineer Dennis Savage said. "We ran out of drinking water, we ran out of toilet paper, and we ended up sitting there for over five hours."

The train arrived at Ogilvie Transportation Center Wednesday morning, and passengers took Chicago Transit Authority buses or found their own transportation home.

"They should've had a shuttle bus there," Savage said. "Something to take the people home."

Photos | Share Your Photos | Forecast | Closings
Traffic | Airports | Metra | CTA | Chicago OEMC

Contact Us