FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Millions traveled back home Monday after spending the long Memorial Day weekend away, but severe storms and relentless rain delayed flights coming from all across the United States to Southwest Florida International Airport.
Kevin Smith, a Naples resident, was among those affected by the weather-related disruptions.
“We were actually out on the West Coast at a musical festival called Bottlerock in Napa, and we’re supposed to get back home last night, but there was a big line of weather on the west side of Dallas-Fort Worth, so we ended up getting diverted and ultimately missing our flight,” Smith said.
The severe weather system stretched across a wide area, creating widespread flight disruptions.
“It was pretty bad from way north of Dallas-Fort Worth all the way down to super far south, so flights couldn’t get in, flights couldn’t get out,” Smith said.
Not everyone faced delays at RSW. Some travelers arrived on time or even early, depending on where they were flying from, WINK News reporter Camila Pereira found after talking with travelers and checking the flight board.
Joyce Triner and Vallery Williams, visiting from Ohio, had no issues with their flight.
“It was great. No problems. It was very good,” Triner and Williams said.
The pair shared what they were looking forward to during their Southwest Florida visit.
“The weather, vacation, girls trip,” Triner and Williams said. “And a drink doesn’t hurt…or two, or three. We have a great time together.”
Despite the delays, locals said they were just happy to be back home, even if it was a day later than expected. Smith joked about returning to Southwest Florida’s climate after his trip out west.
“Oh yeah, much happier to be home, with the caveat that we haven’t walked outside to see how hot and humid it is yet,” Smith said.