Tourists Stranded in the Midwest as Winter Storm Causes Major Travel Delays

Published on December 1, 2025

A severe winter storm had affected numerous travellers, resulting in a 45-car pile-up, a Delta Airlines jet skidding off an Iowa runway, and extending travel disruptions throughout the Midwest. On one of the most hectic travel days of the season, accidents, delays, and cancellations further compounded the inconvenienced travel disruptions.

As the storm system moved through the Midwest, it brought heavy snow, strong winds, and below-freezing temperatures, resulting in ice-covered roads. Thousands of holiday Season travellers, especially to major metro areas of Chicago, Minneapolis, and St. Louis, experienced the storm and resulting travel challenges. Highways, airports, and train services were affected, resulting in significant delays and stranded travellers.

Midwest Mishaps, Accidents, and Pileups

Indiana sustained one of the worst and most severe accidents caused by the winter storm when the pileup of 45 vehicles occurred on Interstate 69 in Fort Wayne during the winter storm and caused backed up traffic for numerous hours. There were injuries caused by the pileup and the icing on the roads caused multiple vehicles to be involved and caused the roads to be closed for the majority of the day. Emergency responders were able to clear the roadway, but the incident caused significant delays for people trying to leave the Midwest.

Colorado was the most severely impacted by the winter storm as well. A Delta Airlines jet on the Des Moines International Airport runway lost control due to the icy conditions and caused the airport runway to be closed temporarily while the incident was taking place. Fortunately, the crew and passengers of the plane were able to evacuate the plane and were able to be housed in the terminal, but the incident was able to cause delays and cancellations of other airplanes at the airport. Other passengers trying to arrive and depart the airport were quite frustrated because most of the flights to Des Moines and the other surrounding airports were delayed, cancelled, or rerouted.

Effects of Delayed and Cancelled Flights on Travellers

Due to travellers’ busy itineraries, this storm is particularly problematic for tourists flying to and from intermediate major destinations, especially over the Midwest. With Chicago being one of the largest travel centers in the country, O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport experienced major disruptions. In addition to the long wait times and line congestion, flying customers encountered long delays as airlines fell behind in their attempts to reschedule delayed flights due to the storm.

Due to poor visibility, frozen runways, ground and flight de-icing, and other safety procedures, over 150 flights in the region were directly canceled, while hundreds more experienced delayed departures. People booked on the flights found themselves on the receiving end of extreme disruptions, especially from tourist customers, as the fight delays and cancellations dragged on for hours. With the extreme weather, major tourist attractions, such as Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Art Institute of Chicago, experienced significant increases in the number of people in the area as they were not willing to go to the attractions in the extreme cold and snow.

Icy Roads and Highway Disruptions

While most travelers choose to fly, some opted to drive for the purpose of visiting relatives and for touring. The winter storm cut across the Midwest and created dangerous travel conditions on major interstate highways. Paved roads, limited visibility, and snow-covering the highways created conditions to drive for all of the major routes on interstates 80, 90, and 94, leading to accidents and delays on the automated paths.

In the Midwest, tourists wanting to see the Dells of Wisconsin, the Mall of America, and even the towering Arch of St. Mo. with its holiday events, were all extended stops. Increased travel time and road closures on the highways led many to pull over and stop contributing even further to the excess stress and disruptions on the regional industry.

Effect on the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Economy

The storm has delayed travel and affect hospitality and tourism sector of the economy. Travelers reported the storm and determined which hotels during the storm. These hotels, especially at major road and airline travel hubs, reported varying degrees of booking and then overselling, and afterward during the snows, no-flight delays, and road closures experienced demand surges and chronic hospitality lack of shelter.

Diminished travel tourism south wine country and the low Iowa Great Lakes and the lower Illinois Chicagoland region on the key restaurant, gift and attraction shop, decreased pedestrian counts and hence net sales. Bottom line, the tourism industry of travelers altered their vacation planning to accommodate the no-way holiday also suffered.

Looking Ahead: Recovery and Future Travel

As the storm passes through the region, clearing the roads, restoring air travel and addressing delays are in progress. Several of the airports in the Midwest are expecting to return to normal operations in the next few days as airlines continue to try and assist the passengers who were affected. Travelers can still anticipate some delays as operations resume.

For travellers continuing to plan winter trips to the Midwest, it will be necessary to keep an eye on the weather and be ready for delays and disruptions. The region is known for winter storms, and this recent storm reminds travelers to be prepared for extreme weather events.

With winter holiday travel fully underway, the Midwest tourism economy is anticipated to suffer little from the winter storm, and for travelers planning trips to the region, it is recommended they monitor the weather and plan accordingly.