And what about the toll of flights that have been canceled in the wake of sandy? It's now topped 18,000 including flights overseas. Abc's senior national correspondent jim avila tells us what to expect in the coming days. Reporter: Clely new york's major domestic airport, LaGUARDIA, ISN'T ACCEPTING Flights any time soon. Runways, taxiways, even gates d at the bay side field. The wild card in all this is, of course, what's going to HAPPEN at LaGuardia airport. How long is it going to take them to clean up the water and then clean up the debris. Reporter: Us airways a major carrier on the east coast, the busiest air corridor in the world has planes lined up at its charlotte, north carolina, hub ready to go repositioning its feet for a restart but at LaGUARDIA, NEWARK AND JFK Tomorrow morning. As far as new york goes, we really have to wait and see. Damage, we have to assess what kind of damage has been done and what kind of fixes need to be made. Reporter: It's not been just the northeast problem, the ripple effect is nationwide. Look at this map by flight stats. As the storm approaches sunday, delays marked in red begin. By landfall monday, thousands of cancellations across the country. There is an impact on every other airport because so many people are trying to fly to and from the east coast. Reporter: Even today out on the west coast, passengers are still in long lines and staring at cancellation boards. Got in the line and they said chicago flights are canceled. Get in another line. Reporter: Across the country frustration mixed with resignation. These two new yorkers stuck in new orleans an extra few days making the most of it. I'd rather be having a good time with my friends than be stuck in the storm. Reporter: For the rest of america stranded, flights home begin tomorrow.Jim avila, abc news, washington.