Winter Storm: Northeast Digs Out After Post-Holiday Blizzard

Dec. 28, 2010— -- The brunt of a powerful snowstorm that battered the Northeast Sunday and Monday has moved on but its lingering impact has left airports struggling to open, thousands of travelers scrambling to reach their destinations and municipalities hustling to clean up.

From North Carolina to Maine, people are digging out from more than 2 feet of snow in some places.

New York City received nearly 2 feet of snow along with 60 mph winds. More than 18 inches fell in Boston.

And freezing temperatures that have moved in along the East Coast are expected to remain there through the week.

A freeze warning has been issued for parts of Florida, where temperatures could reach below freezing.

Thousands of travelers are trying to make the trip home after being stuck in airports, train stations and on the road.

The storm has a caused a ripple effect in travel operations nationwide.

New York's three area airports resumed some operations Monday night but now face rebooking passengers from nearly 1,500 canceled flights.

It could take days for airlines to accommodate stranded passengers on already-crowded planes.

Some travelers are taking matters into their own hands.

Mark Remy is trying to get home to Allentown, Pa., from Chicago.

He decided to rent a car and drive home today.

"At the rate we're going, it would be faster to run home," he told ABC News Radio.

Travelers are encouraged to check the status of their flights before going to airports.

Stories of Endurance

From a family with an infant trapped in their car in the snow for eight hours to residents in a coastal Massachusetts town that was overwhelmed with snow, flooding and fires, those caught in the eye of the storm will have stories of endurance to tell.

In New York, hundreds of subway riders were left stranded Sunday night for seven hours after the power went out on the track's third rail.

The Manhattan-bound train stopped above ground near the Aqueduct Race Track station in Queens.

Cramped and cold, passengers were told help was on the way, but the rescue train got stuck.

"No bathroom, no food, no water, no heat for most of the time so it was very cold middle of the night middle of nowhere. We had no idea when we were going to get going," said Erin Durkin, a New York Daily News reporter who was among the hundreds stuck on the Manhattan-bound train.

But transit officials said they did have access to the bathroom.

"We assured the people it was safe on the train. I know it wasn't comfortable," MTA Chairman Jay Walder said.

Nation of Wussies?

While the storm caused nationwide travel delays, it also prompted the postponement of the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings game Sunday.

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell criticized the NFL's decision to delay the game to Tuesday.

Rendell told radio station 97.5 the Fanatic in Philadelphia that there were no blizzard conditions in the city.

"My biggest beef is that this is part of what's happened in this country. I think we've become wussies," Rendell said.

West Coast Braces for Winter Blast

As the Northeast recovers from Sunday's blizzard, the West Coast is bracing for snow and rain.

Forecasters predict a blast of winter weather to roll into the Northwest tonight.

Chris Collins, a forecaster at the National Weather Service in Portland, Ore., said there could be heavy snow in the mountains of Oregon and Washington.

"I would certainly think we would get a healthy chunk of snow up there," he said. "Certainly, it will impact travel over the cascades. The main impact will be well above the valley floor."

Eleven states from California to North Dakota are under a flood and-or weather warning or advisory.

Southern California, which was pounded by heavy rain last week, is expected to receive wet weather again Wednesday.

ABC News' Jeremy Hubbard, Linsey Davis, John Donovan, Scott Mayerowitz, Max Golembo and the Associated Press contributed to this report.