Chicago storms ground hundreds of flights

CHICAGO, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- At least 750 flights are being canceled at Chicago airports after severe storms swept in and caused delays.

Southwest Airlines said they were canceling all flights from Midway International Airport after 12 p.m. Thursday.

"We always coordinate with Air Traffic Control when we anticipate storms will disrupt the airspace and, with an 80 percent coverage of rain forecast for Chicago, these proactive cancellations are aimed at minimizing surprises for our customers -- keeping them from spending extra time at the airport or on aircraft, etc.," Southwest spokesman Dan Landson told CBS Chicago. "We expect some delays, as well, and they should check southwest.com for more information."

The cancellations come one week after sabotage at an air traffic control center in Chicago caused more than 2,000 canceled flights. Cancellations at Chicago's O'Hare airport are known to disrupt air traffic across the country.

Former FAA contract worker Brian Howard has been charged for destruction of aircraft facilities and faces a maximum 20-year sentence with a fine.

The FAA is continuing to work to repair the damage.