3,000 flights canceled ahead of northeast blizzard

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - There was somewhat of a 'mad dash' through many south Florida airports on Thursday, with passengers trying to get to northeastern states before a major winter storm hits.

Northeast-bound flights from Palm Beach International Airport were all on time on Thursday evening, and most were almost full to capacity.

Thursday night's flights were likely some of the last out of Florida to those northeastern states before several feet of snow hit the ground.

"It is a little hard to leave today when it's 85 degrees and you know what you're going into," said Bill Gould of Jupiter.

He and many other passengers were rebooking their flights, leaving the Sunshine State early, instead of risking not leaving at all when the blizzard barrels through.

"Got to bring big boots," said Gould.

Susan Green was headed to Boston a day early as well to be there before the first flake falls.

"Then I'm going to get in my car at five in the morning and rush to Vermont, to try to hit the snow," she said. "I love the snow. I can't wait to go home."

Some 3000 flights had already been canceled across the United States for Friday alone.

"I haven't seen the weather for a while, I just know that there is a lot of snow coming," said Green.

The preparations are well under way in multiple states, including Connecticut.

Moira Leshem, who lives in West Hartford, told NewsChannel 5 that people have been fair warned.

"The grocery stores are as crowded as can be," said Leshem. "The lines at the gas station are super long."

Leshem and her family have a unique challenge going into this stormy weekend. She is nine months pregnant and is due on Sunday. She hopes the baby can wait until after the storm to arrive.

"People keep telling me, 'You're going to have the baby during the blizzard,' so of course I have that on my mind now," she said.

Delays and cancellations are expected to continue at airports nationwide for several days.