cancelled. the 10 airlines together only have 5,000 airplanes. it gives you an idea how massive these cancellations will be back and forth across the country. megyn: chris gutierrez put it in perspective' you can't just throw sand or salt on the runways at the airport. we are awaiting a briefing at the white house. now set for 2:30 eastern time after being pushed back two hours. the director of fema, the federal emergency management agency is slated to speak at that briefing. that's very unusual. he will be joining the press secretary robert gibbs with an updaughter on the winter blitz. shay? >> reporter: this is an intense area of low pressure. on the north side we are getting the snowfall. but on the south side we are