elwyn lopez has a look at how travelers are dealing with the chaos. >> from minneapolis to boston, millions standing in lines at airports on one of the busiest travel days good -- days. >> there is. it is a long time here. >> and increasing covid-19 cases impacting pilots and staff, forcing airlines to cancel or delay flights. >> just when we thought air travel could not get worse. >> in atlanta, airport officials advising passengers to arrive 2.5 hours before domestic flights. >> last year i was traveling and there was no one here. which was kind of eerie. i like to see people but this is a lot of people. >> and there is bad weather. chicago's two major airports counseling -- canceling more than 2000 flights because of heavy snow. passengers bracing for even more delays. >> i've been watching the weather very closely. they say it is a nasty storm. >> i am hoping we don't get more snow, because if we do, i am not sure what i am going to do. >> elwyn lopez, abc news, atlanta. >> speaking of, looking at sfo, 64 flights have been canceled today. 23 were canceled at oakland international and 15

abc's elwyn lopez in charlotte tonight. >> reporter: tonight, a dangerous winter storm on the move, putting more than 100 million people on alert. the system already pummeling parts of the midwest with more than a foot of snow. sending cars sliding off roads. now taking aim at the southeast, threatening the region with damaging and even crippling ice and snow. >> this storm is a menace. >> reporter: at least four governors declaring states of emergency. here in the carolinas, crews are pouring in from out of state as they brace for widespread power outages that could last days. duke energy, the largest utility provider here, now estimating as many as 750,000 customers may be impacted. >> we hope it's not that bad, but when we look at history, we think it could be that bad, especially with the wind and the ice and the sleet. >> reporter: and in nearby tennessee, shoppers racing to stock up on food and other supplies, clearing out shelves. >> getting some groceries, some supplies before it gets bad and we get snowed in. >> reporter: road crews working around the clock, gearing up ahead of ton

elwyn lopez in pittsburgh. thank you, elwyn. >>> as we reported at the top, there's news coming in involving russia, ukraine, these rising tensions and president biden late today saying he will be sending u.s. troops to the region. so, where will they go? our senior foreign correspondent ian pannell from ukraine again tonight. >> reporter: tonight, ukraine's army reherring for a war they who they never have to fight, firing western made and supplied weapons. and president biden tonight saying he's getting close to moving u.s. troops to the region, though not to ukraine. >> i'll be moving troops to the nato countries in the near term. >> reporter: defense secretary austin andn general milley warning a russian attack on ukraine would be swift and horrific. >> there's a potential they could launch on very little warning. >> reporter: american forces on high alert to support neighboring countries, but both men stressing there is a way out. >> war is not inevitable. as the secretary said. the right answer here is a

elwyn lopez joins us now with more on what played out in the courtroom. elwyn, good morning. >> reporter: hey, whit, good morning. those three men were handed down life sentences for the killing of ahmaud arbery. two of them without the possibility of parole. that is travis mcmichael and his father, gregory mcmichael, they will spend their lives in prison but their neighbor, william "roddie" bryan, will have the chance of parole after 30 years. they were all convicted in the murder of the 25-year-old black jogger who was chased for more than five minutes nearly two yars ago. the judge wanting the court to understand just a fraction of what that time must have felt like for arbery asking them to all sit in silence for a minute. >> and when i thought about this, i thought from a lot of different angles, and i kept coming back to the terror that must have been in the mind of the young man running through satilla shores. >> reporter: he also noted that the mcmichaels walked away when arbery fell to the ground. the judge describing the killing as callous but al

abc's elwyn lopez is in charlotte, north carolina, with the snow already falling. n, good morning. >> reporter: hey, janai. good morning. we're under that winter storm warning here and this freezing rain that we're seeing is a wintry mix. then we'll see heavy snow and that combination could bring down tree limbs, knocking out power lines plunging hundreds of thousands into the dark. this morning, the dangerous winter storm now bringing snow and sleet to the south. more than 100 million people on alert as that monster system sweeps farther east carrying the potential to cripple parts of the u.s. in tennessee, snow falling in downtown memphis. as much as four inches possible. and in greenville, south carolina, sleet and snow blanketing the ground overnight. here in north carolina, flakes falling in charlotte. >> our forecasters expect significant impacts across our state. this storm's a menace. plan to stay home sunday. >> reporter: in raleigh, the rush for essentials leaving some shelves bare. grocery stores struggling with supply and staffing problems. >> we got mil

two-hour school delay officials reiterating how this could have been so much worse elwyn lopez abc news we're a massive winter storm continues to hit parts of the east coast with temperatures remaining below freezing. the nor'easter is impacting about 80 million americans in 10 states. the winter storm is dumping lots of snow with some places reporting records. boston is having its first blizzard warning in years with 70 mile an hour wind gusts massive waves hit neighborhoods along the coast in massachusetts over 100,000. people are without power. we have a number of issues related to the storm that made it especially problematic including flooded coastal roads the rate of snowfall and down power lines. blizzard conditions has impacted air travel with 3500 flights canceled so far in long island the epicenter of the storm roads are slick and dangerous. the storm is expected to taper off overnight. and we do have an update tonight on the 700-acre fire burning your big sur. it's now 90% contained that fire started eight days ago in a remote area between big sur sur and carmel by the sea. h

abc's elwyn lopez has more. >> reporter: this morning, investigators trying to find the cause of this dramatic bridge collapse in pittsburgh. >> we're looking for indications of where it began, signs of stress in the materials that comprised the bridge, signs of fracture, signs of deterioration. >> reporter: combing through what's left at the scene after friday's collapse left ten people injured, mostly first responders. >> a lot of screaming and static on the phone stating the bridge fully gave out. >> reporter: rescuers up against icy conditions and snow as they rappelled more than 100 feet. others forming a human chain to get people off this partially crushed bus left dangling along the edge. >> the knew the bridge was collapsing. i could feel it, the bus was bouncing and shaking. >> reporter: the collapse took place before 7:00 a.m. schools had been delayed for two hours due to weather keeping traffic light early friday morning on what officials call one of the city's vital arteries. >> it would have been a lot worse. >> reporter: this all taking place just hours before pr trillio

elwyn lopez is in atlanta. >> reporter: tonight, a dramatic high wire rescue in albuquerque, new mexico. all 21 people being pulled to safety after being stuck in a cart on a tramway for more than 14 hours. >> it was taking roughly about 5 to 15 minutes for every two people to get rescued off, and that includes the helicopter flight. >> reporter: this as a massive new year's storm marches east, putting more than 80 million people across the country on alert for heavy snow, potential torrential flooding and a potential for tornadoes. that looming threat taking aim at some of the same areas already decimated by twisters just three weeks ago. in south central kentucky, life-threatening flash flooding taking over streets. crews in rafts pulling people to safety. the governor there now declaring a state of emergency. and in morrison, colorado, snow-covered roads sparking cars to slip and slide across this interstate, stranding dozens of drivers. tonight, several states from louisiana to kentucky now at risk for tornadoes. and terry, that round of storms could continue into the overnight hour

elwyn lopez is in atlanta. >> reporter: tonight, new trouble in the skies ahead of the first weekend of the new year, adding to an already chaotic holiday travel season. >> i've never seen this much cancelation going on. >> reporter: more than 1,500 flights grounded today alone, marking the sixth day in a row of more than a thousand cancelations. some airlines blaming extreme weather and staffing shortages due to the surging omicron variant. >> there's a lot of cancelations with the virus. you know. i hope that this is getting better, not worse. >> reporter: but the faa now issuing a new warning -- the likelihood for more travel delays in the coming days. the agency pointing to bad weather, heavy traffic, and an uptick in air traffic controllers and other employees testing positive for covid-19. >> this is very unusual. to me, it's a surprise they haven't had more sick-outs sooner. this is just the path of the virus. >> reporter: one passenger tells me her delayed flight from the bahamas caused her to miss a connecting flight in miami, where she ultimately spent the night. >> i went

here's elwyn lopez. >> reporter: tonight, investigators racing to find out what caused that horrific carbon monoxide poisoning at a hotel outside columbus, ohio. >> looking into heaters, hvac systems, anything that could have developed, produced carbon monoxide. >> reporter: multiple people found unconscious in and around the indoor pool, including a toddler. >> now a report of three different children unconscious. >> reporter: the 2-year-old's family telling abc news her head started to bob, and she lost consciousness as her mother was holding her in the water. six children and five adults hospitalized. some victims reporting symptoms like dizziness and burning in their throats. hotel guests evacuated. including families in town for a wrestling tournament at an area high school. coach nicholas holmes says three members of his team were among those affected. >> this is impacting us seriously, and we just want to pray for these individuals and ask that everything be all right. >> reporter: the incident reminiscent of another case of carbon monoxide poisoning at an indoor hotel pool in

but elwyn lopez leads us off. >> reporter: tonight, one of the busiest travel weekends of the year wrapping up with another day of mass cancellations. >> it's a long line, but what are you going to do. >> reporter: from coast to coast, 5 million passengers expected to hit the skies between today and tomorrow. >> i just want to get home. >> reporter: airports seeing more than 2,500 flights grounded. over 5,000 just this weekend. covid partially to blame, with an uptick in cases sparking staffing shortages. another major hit to operations -- that wintry weather from denver to chicago. >> we had a huge snowstorm. and, oh, my goodness, they cancelled the flight because they were scared that we wouldn't be able to take off. >> reporter: megan dillman managed to book another flight to atlanta for an event but is now worried about getting back home to chicago. >> well, i'm hoping that it doesn't get cancelled. because i'm not sure what i'm gonna do. >> reporter: steven chaney tells me he's spent more than seven hours at the airport. >> i showed you all of my cancellations i've been dealing with al

abc's elwyn lopez leads us off tonight from charlotte. >> reporter: tonight, the far-reaching storm plowing through much of the country, plastering the southeast with a wintry mess. parts of the carolinas smothered in near whiteout conditions leaving more than 100,000 without power. the blast crippling interstates and major roadways. some drivers marooned. others pushing cars along. and tonight in north carolina traffic in the skies coming to a near halt. charlotte douglas international airport leading the world in cancellations, with more than 95% of flights grounded. >> hopefully something will open up, you know, but for right now just a waiting game for me right now. >> it's coming down pretty good here. >> reporter: parts of northern georgia seeing more than four inches of snow. and a short-lived ef-2 tornado kicked up from that same system in fort myers, florida. >> this terrible, fierce storm came through here. it lifted me off my feet. >> reporter: more than two dozen homes destroyed there. edward murray says he was trapped under his for 30 minutes before firefighters rescued him. >>

elwyn lopez is in pittsburgh with the latest. elwyn, good morning. >> reporter: hey, janai, good morning. a terrifying scene there. it all started around 5:30 p.m. when a mother tells us she saw her daughter go in and out of consciousness. she raced to the front desk and a wave of others followed. this morning a nightmare in ohio, a marysville hotel evacuated saturday after multiple people were found unconscious in and around the indoor pool, including a toddler. >> a 2-year-old female lost consciousness in the swimming pool. >> reporter: the city's fire chief says it was due to dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide. the 2-year-old's family said the toddler's head started to bob and she lost consciousness while her mother was holding her in the water. >> patient is still in and out of consciousness. believe she swallowed some water. >> reporter: then a flurry of calls poured into 911. >> we've had four different callers in the pool area saying people are unconscious. all seem to be children. >> reporter: others reporting symp

abc's elwyn lopez is in atlanta with the latest. elwyn, good morning to you. >> reporter: hey, janai, good morning. that heavy snow and ice threatening tens of millions. here crews are hitting major roadways, hitting interstates like the one behind me with brine trying to get ahead of what the storm might bring. this morning, a massive winter storm making its way across most of the u.s. putting 75 million people under winter weather alerts. in eastern iowa, drivers facing near whiteout conditions. and in northern iowa, this state patrol car struck by a semi. the trooper inside suffering minor injuries. the far-reaching system now on the move already blasting west hope, north dakota, to st. louis, missouri, with nearly a foot of snow across the midwest in four states. in tennessee, people getting ready for the winter storm. >> we have extra jackets and gloves, so we do travel with that in case we get stranded. >> i do not drive in the snow. >> reporter: at least five governors declaring states of emergency including here in georgia. >

. >> so let's go back to abc's elwyn lopez in atlanta where the governor of georgia has already declared state of emergency ahead of this system. elwyn, good morning once again. >> reporter: hey, whit. good morning again, that's right. georgia, one of several declaring a state of emergency bracing for what this storm might bring as it blasts its way here. this morning, a massive winter storm making its way across most of the u.s. putting 75 million people under winter weather alerts. in eastern iowa, drivers facing near whiteout conditions. and in northern iowa, this state patrol car struck by a semi. the trooper inside suffering minor injuries. the far reaching system now on the move already blasting west hope, north dakota, to st. louis, missouri, with nearly a foot of snow across the midwest in four states. in tennessee, people getting ready for the winter storm. >> we have extra jackets and gloves so we do travel with that in case we get stranded. >> i do not drive in the snow. >> reporter: at least five governors declaring states of emergency including here in georgia. >> we're mobi

elwyn lopez is in atlanta, georgia, with preparations there. ning, elwyn. >> reporter: hey, michael, good morning. i'm standing in front of 1,500 tons of salt. this is just some of what officials have on hand to try to combat that wintry mix of snow and ice making its way here this weekend. a spokesperson for the georgia department of transportation tells me that they will start brining the roads this afternoon and they have 1.2 million gallons of brine ready to go if needed. as ginger was mentioning, the worst of the storm is expected between late saturday night and early sunday morning. the national weather service now warning that that might lead to major disruptions to travel and possible power outages. michael, this could also bring in dangerous and even crippling conditions to other parts of the region like the carolinas. >> all right, elwyn, thank you so much for that. >>> we're going to turn to that breaking news overnight, north korea firing two ballistic missiles. this is the third launch this month. this one happening just hours after

. >> we have team coverage starting with elwyn lopez in charlotte, north carolina. caused hazardous conditions on the roads. good morning, elwyn. >> reporter: good morning, george. that storm is now bearing down on the northeast. first it plastered parts of the south. take a look at this wintry mix. officials concerned this mourning, all leading to black ice on the other hand roads. this morning, that massive storm stretching into the mid-atlantic and new england after slamming the southeast with ice and snow. overnight, high winds intensifying conditions in the south, blowing down trees, knocking out power lines. the storm turning deadly in north carolina. two people killed in nash county when their car slid off i-95. and in durham, this tractor trailer left hanging over a highway overpass. near whiteout conditions causing drivers to careen across major interstates and highways. police responding to hundreds of crashes. others caught stranded in the wintry mess. some seen pushing their cars. and 50 students at this college in north carolina rushed to safety. a dorm'

this man telling our elwyn lopez that he spent more than seven hours trying to catch a flight. >> everythingd. i showed you all of my cancellations i have been dealing with all morning long. >> reporter: and calling the airlines may be just as frustrating. >> oh, forget about it. >> reporter: more than 1,700 flights have already been canceled in america today and about 600 delays. some airlines are reaching out to passengers to offer compensation for all of this hassle, but no doubt about it, you may have to reach out to them yourself to demand that, robin. >> when you heard the man say, forget about it. it's so difficult to do that. with so many cancellations, what can people do, gio? >> reporter: so look, you really have to act fast, robin, and you saw right there how hard sit to reach some airlines on the phone. so make sure you have that airline app on your phone ready to go or use the website too make any of those last-minute changes. you may also want to consider buying a second fully refundable ticket. that way if there's any issue with your original flight, you can get on that other