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

More than 2,000 flights got scrapped.

Big airports like JFK and LaGuardia were hit hard.

Delays lasted for a long time.

The National Weather Service alerted travelers.

Tornado watches included several states.

Torrential rain and wind closed runways.

Strong gusts grounded planes all over.

Airlines told flyers to stay alert for updates.

A summer storm system exacerbated the situation.

By afternoon, airports gradually reopened.

Passengers looked for the latest news on their journeys.