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Hurricane Sandy Cancels Hundreds of Flights, Could Cause Massive Waves

By Emily Morris | October 29, 2012 1:16pm
 Waves from Lake Michigan batter the shoreline at North Avenue Beach during an October 2011 storm.
Waves from Lake Michigan batter the shoreline at North Avenue Beach during an October 2011 storm.
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Scott Olson/Getty Images

CHICAGO — Though the northeast will likely bear the brunt of Hurricane Sandy's wrath, effects of the Atlantic's "Frankenstorm" are hitting Chicago with hundreds of flight cancelations and waves from Lake Michigan expected to reach frightening heights on Monday.

Roughly 400 flights have been canceled at O'Hare International Airport and nearly 90 at Midway Airport, most due to the storm, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. The department is advising those with travel plans to check airline websites for cancelations before heading to the airport.

The National Weather Service issued a warning detailing how the storm could affect the Chicago area each day this week, starting with an ominous "Day One." Lake Michigan waves could reach heights from 18 to 25 feet by late tonight, and wind gusts expected to reach 60 mph near the lakeshore. The waves will likely lead to lake shore flooding and beach erosion, according to the statement.

The high winds will continue Tuesday and into the evening, along with large and "battering" waves expected to hit areas near the lake. Waves are likely to reach 18 to 23 feet, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Keeney.

While those near the lakeshore should brace for possible flooding, the rest of the city could grapple with fallen power lines due to high winds, Keeney said. Chicago will likely feel Sandy's effects for days.

"Expect these dangerous conditions along the lake to continue through the day on Wednesday before subsiding late in the week," Keeney said.