Monster storm hitting Northeast having ripple effect on flights, affecting Mitchell International

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Thousands of flights are canceled. Rail lines and roads are closed. The Northeast is getting walloped by a blizzard. A potentially "historic and destructive" nor'easter is blowing through New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts -- including New York City and Boston -- crippling the ability to travel for the approximately 58 million people in its path. The weather out east is having an effect on General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.

Many airlines cancelled flights ahead of the storm. Notifications went out Sunday night and early Monday morning. Even so, some who aren't even headed into the storm's path are being impacted.

MKE. They're three letters that welcome travelers inside Mitchell International Airport -- but Monday, the letters that came to mind were OMG -- as folks checked out the list of cancelled flights.

"Our flight's been delayed," New Zealand native Whakapaingia Luke said.

Luke's final destination is Los Angeles, but his connecting flight didn't make it out before the storm.

"Because of the ice - the workers have to take the ice off the airplane," Luke said.

The monster of a storm affecting the northeast is having a ripple effect on travel across the country. Up to three feet of snow could fall in New York and Boston through Tuesday, January 27th. The storm has already crippled cities out east -- prompting folks to stock up on supplies. Automobile travel bans are in place, and folks are preparing for inevitable power outages.

Coupled with wind gusts near 65 miles-per-hour, the storm is impacting more than 7,000 flights nationwide -- cancelled or delayed.

"Check with your airline early and see if there`s a possibility of changing your flights," Mitchell International Airport spokesman Ryan McAdams said.

Airport officials in Milwaukee say many airlines gave passengers early cancellation notices Sunday. About a half-dozen have already been grounded for Tuesday. The whole situation can leave some passengers a little antsy!

But at Mitchell International Airport -- there's plenty to do while you wait.

Again -- many flights are already cancelled for Tuesday. Some airlines are waiving fees for those looking to change flights -- so it's best to check in with your airline as soon as possible.

CLICK HERE to check arrivals and departures via Mitchell International Airport's website.

Meanwhile -- shares of Waukesha-based generator maker Generac are surging. Investors are betting the record snowfall will push more Americans to buy emergency electric generators. According to Generac CEO Aaron Jagdfelt, they are not that far off the mark.

"An event like this presents an opportunity for a company like ours that makes generators. Our phones are jammed. We're getting product positioned. It's been a very busy morning to say the least," Jagdfeld said.

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