ROMULUS, Mich. (WWJ) – Transit systems in New York and Washington are shut down, airlines are grounded and many East Coast workers have been told to stay home ahead of Hurricane Sandy’s arrival.

Sandy is expected to merge with two other systems creating the potential for havoc over 800 miles from the East Coast to the Great Lakes. New York City could face an 11-foot tidal surge.

WWJ’s Ron Dewey reports from Metro Airport that a number of flights to the northeast have been scrapped. On Delta’s board at the McNamara Terminal, Dewey says there are 23 outbound flights that have been canceled; nine inbound were also scratched — all from the New England area — basically an area east of Pittsburgh and north of Raleigh.

Louis Deguirre and Amy Wilborn were among the travelers at Metro Airport who found themselves making alternate plans.

The couple was heading to Norfolk, Virginia — one of the areas scratched off Delta’s board.

“So we got stuck over here last night in Detroit,” Degare said. Their Plan B?
“To go to Raleigh-Durham and then drive to Norfolk.”

Once there, they say they have to be concerned about whether there would be a rental car available to complete the final leg of their longer-than-expected journey.

If you have a flight out of Metro today, you’re advised to double check with your air carrier before heading to the airport to make sure that you’ll be able to catch your flight on time.