Bay Area flights impacted by major storm on East Coast

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Calif. (KGO) -- Fifty million Americans are bracing for a life-threatening blizzard. The massive nor'easter is threatening to bring some of the country's largest cities to a standstill. Blizzard and winter storm warnings have been issued from Maryland to Maine and even into Canada. Record-breaking snow -- up to three feet -- is predicted in some places. The Boston area is expected to be hardest hit.

The big storm is having a dramatic impact on air and ground travel. In New York City, all vehicles will be barred from the roads, except emergency vehicles. That starts at 8 pm. our time. Nearly 3,000 of flights have been canceled, and roughly the same number for Tuesday.

That winter storm hitting the East Coast is having ripple effects across the country and here in the Bay Area. Seventy-seven flights have been cancelled at San Francisco International Airport, and four each have been cancelled at both Oakland International Airport and Mineta San Jose International Airport.

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"I know they can't help the weather," said stranded traveler Brenda Mancuso.

And you need look no further than the departure board to see how powerless airlines are, when it comes to Mother Nature. Up and down the East Coast, flights have been delayed or cancelled as a blizzard threatens the Northeast. Airports in New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, even Chicago are feeling the impact. Thousands of travelers stopped in their tracks.

"I was going from Taipei to Newark, connecting through San Francisco," Mancuso said.

Eleven hours after she boarded her first flight in Taiwan, Mancuso is only half the way home.

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"My flight at 10 a.m. to Newark was cancelled and they put me on a noon flight," she said. "And then when I arrived here, I saw an email that said that was cancelled."

She isn't the only one. SFO is abuzz with activity. Dozens are negotiating with ticket agents or passing the time with iPads.

"I'm trying to go to New York, I've been flying 12 hours," said Gang Bai.

Like Bai, hunting for the best bargain with a hotel voucher given to him by the airline, is a way to compensate for an unexpected layover in San Francisco.

A storm that's thousands of miles away is packing enough punch to be felt nationwide. Mancuso doesn't care how she gets home, as long as she gets there.

"The very nice people took care of me and booked me on a flight to Dulles," she said. "And I hope when I get to Dulles, I will take a train to Newark."

Officials at SFO says if you're expecting someone to arrive at the airport, or if you're planning to travel yourself, be sure to check with your airline first.

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