Frances Strands Hundreds in Atlanta
2004-09-06

Nations U.S. City Orlando Atlanta Tampa States Florida Georgia County Orange County Fulton County Hillsborough County Metropolitan Orlando Metro Atlanta Metro Tampa Bay Area Event 2004 Hurricane Frances

ATLANTA - Hundreds of people made Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport their temporary home over the last few days, sleeping in makeshift beds of pushed-together chairs and using clothing for blankets.

Officials for the airport, the world's busiest in terms of passengers, and the airlines said only a limited number of people were stranded because most people prepared for the eventuality that flights would be canceled and Florida airports closed.

One temporary airport resident, Ann Stafford, said she passed the time by reading a Danielle Steel novel and chatting with her new roommates.

``It was really cold in here last night, but somebody did bring some blankets around,'' said Stafford, who is hoping to return soon to her home near Clearwater, Fla., after visiting family in England.

Most passengers said they hoped they would finally get into Florida by Monday evening. Flights were canceled to Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach. Other flights out of Atlanta were not affected.

The most cancellations came on Sunday, said AirTran spokeswoman Judy Graham-Weaver. A Delta spokeswoman couldn't estimate how many flights were delayed or canceled, and the airport doesn't track that data.

Another passenger, Heather DiPaola-Maranto, huddled beneath a jean jacket and propped her feet up on a chair as she tried to get some rest.

``It isn't fun, but it could be worse,'' said DiPaola-Maranto, who wants to get back to Tampa after spending the weekend here for a wedding and a science fiction convention. ``I was hoping Frances would blow on through, but it didn't.''

Irene Rosen was eager to get home to Tampa and end her vacation from Hawaii.

``I don't know if my condo will still be standing, but I'm ready to get back,'' Rosen said. ``I'm just wasting time.'' AP