Hurricane Sandy causes flight cancellations

MIAMI (WSVN) -- From the northeast to South Florida, airline passengers are dealing with flight cancellations.

Monday afternoon, more than 7,000 flights have been canceled across the nation. Most of the flights are going to some of the nation's largest airports. At Miami International Airport, 117 outgoing and incoming flights were cancelled. In Fort Lauderdale, even more flights were grounded: 150.

"I don't want to sit on the floor, but I don't have choice," said Hernando Ziveros. With no choice and no options for getting back to D.C., Ziveros plans to sleep on the floor at MIA through Wednesday. "I don't have money, and I don't know what's going on," he said.

American Airlines canceled his connecting flight in Miami from Panama to Washington D.C and now he is stuck. "Maybe on Wednesday I can go to Washington, D.C., and I don't have money," said Ziveros.

Lizeth Chavez is one of thousands of travelers who arrived at MIA only to find out her flight was canceled. She sent text messages, made calls and pleaded with agents to make traveling arrangements. "It's a mess, that's all I can say," she said.

American Airlines has re-booked Chavez for a 9:55 p.m. flight on Wednesday. Her son is paying for her to stay in a hotel. "This never happened to me, so I'm stressed out because I really wanna go and see my kids," said Chavez.

Travelers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport experienced the same thing due to Hurricane Sandy. Most flights to the Northeast are expected to be grounded until the storm passes. "Everything is cancelled," said Sophea Eang. "There's nothing going out to Boston."

With a storm so large and slow moving, more flights are expected to be canceled on Monday, backing up the system even more. "It's expected," said Kevin Senior. "Sandy is doing her work, I guess. Can't do much."

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