Storms lashed the U.S. East Coast on Wednesday.

More than 2,000 flights were canceled.

Major airports like JFK and LaGuardia were suffered heavily.

Delays lasted for a long time.

The National Weather Service alerted travelers.

Tornado watches included multiple states.

Intense rain and wind closed runways.

Forceful gusts kept aircraft on the ground all over.

Airlines advised travelers to stay alert for updates.

A late-summer storm system exacerbated the situation.

By afternoon, airports cautiously reopened.

Passengers looked for the latest news on their journeys.