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A Nebraska woman is stuck in Dubai amid missile strikes in the area.She was scheduled to fly back this week, but the conflict with Iran has left travelers trapped in the Middle East.Her daughter speaks with Omaha’s News Leader, who is trying to help her from thousands of miles away.Iran is sending missile strikes every day, trying to hit Dubai, where an Omaha woman is on vacation.Her daughter is working day and night trying to find a way to get her through these doors and back home.”You try to go on with your daily life at work and different things, but you’re stressed out,” Andrea Johnson, the Omaha woman’s daughter, explains. “We’re up all night because of the time difference, trying to talk to her, make sure she’s OK, and make sure everybody’s still safe. But it’s scary.”Andrea Johnson’s mother, Theresa, left for Dubai two weeks ago.READ MORE: Idaho couple stranded in Dubai following Iranian strikes”Her and her best friend from high school decided to take this trip for their 70th birthday,” she said.This past weekend, they felt the impacts of the Iran War.”It’s right across the water. So, they’re hearing things,” Johnson said, explaining what the bombs sound like according to her mother. “The best way I can describe it, they sound like loud booms of thunder, like constant loud booms of thunder.”The United Arab Emirates is striking down missiles; in the process, debris damaged the airport, leaving Theresa and her friend trapped.“I feel like they’re both trying to be like ‘Y’all don’t worry.’ They’re worried. You can hear it in her voice. They’re worried. They’re scared. They want to come home,” Johnson said.They flew United Arab Emirates, which said in a statement to KETV NewsWatch 7:”Emirates is currently operating a reduced flight schedule following the partial re-opening of regional airspace for the safe conduct of commercial flights.For 5 and 6 March, over 100 flights will depart from Dubai and return. Emirates will continue to gradually build back its flying schedule, subject to airspace availability and all operational requirements being met. Safety is always our top priority.”Johnson said, “They’re having to rebook these hotels and stuff out of their pocket.”She filed a federal help claim and enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get updates on her mom’s location.“If you have any trouble connecting with the state department,” Rep. Mike Flood said in a Zoom interview. “Call my office, whether it’s in Lincoln or in Washington, D.C., and we will interface with the state department.”READ MORE: As war ripples across the region, Trump says he wants to be involved in picking Iran’s next leaderHowever, Johnson said, “the emails kind of make you a little more nervous, in my opinion, than comforting.”She said she just wants her mom back home.“It’s different if somebody comes and says, ‘In one week we’re getting you out of here.’ Nothing is being said,” Johnson said.She’s been in contact with congressman Don Bacon’s office, who told her the U.S. has been given no guidance on flights.Rep. Flood said the U.S. is working with commercial airlines to help traveling Americans.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
A Nebraska woman is stuck in Dubai amid missile strikes in the area.
She was scheduled to fly back this week, but the conflict with Iran has left travelers trapped in the Middle East.
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Her daughter speaks with Omaha’s News Leader, who is trying to help her from thousands of miles away.
Iran is sending missile strikes every day, trying to hit Dubai, where an Omaha woman is on vacation.
Her daughter is working day and night trying to find a way to get her through these doors and back home.
“You try to go on with your daily life at work and different things, but you’re stressed out,” Andrea Johnson, the Omaha woman’s daughter, explains. “We’re up all night because of the time difference, trying to talk to her, make sure she’s OK, and make sure everybody’s still safe. But it’s scary.”
Andrea Johnson’s mother, Theresa, left for Dubai two weeks ago.
READ MORE: Idaho couple stranded in Dubai following Iranian strikes
“Her and her best friend from high school decided to take this trip for their 70th birthday,” she said.
This past weekend, they felt the impacts of the Iran War.
“It’s right across the water. So, they’re hearing things,” Johnson said, explaining what the bombs sound like according to her mother. “The best way I can describe it, they sound like loud booms of thunder, like constant loud booms of thunder.”
The United Arab Emirates is striking down missiles; in the process, debris damaged the airport, leaving Theresa and her friend trapped.
“I feel like they’re both trying to be like ‘Y’all don’t worry.’ They’re worried. You can hear it in her voice. They’re worried. They’re scared. They want to come home,” Johnson said.
They flew United Arab Emirates, which said in a statement to KETV NewsWatch 7:
“Emirates is currently operating a reduced flight schedule following the partial re-opening of regional airspace for the safe conduct of commercial flights.
For 5 and 6 March, over 100 flights will depart from Dubai and return. Emirates will continue to gradually build back its flying schedule, subject to airspace availability and all operational requirements being met. Safety is always our top priority.”
Johnson said, “They’re having to rebook these hotels and stuff out of their pocket.”
She filed a federal help claim and enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get updates on her mom’s location.
“If you have any trouble connecting with the state department,” Rep. Mike Flood said in a Zoom interview. “Call my office, whether it’s in Lincoln or in Washington, D.C., and we will interface with the state department.”
READ MORE: As war ripples across the region, Trump says he wants to be involved in picking Iran’s next leader
However, Johnson said, “the emails kind of make you a little more nervous, in my opinion, than comforting.”
She said she just wants her mom back home.
“It’s different if somebody comes and says, ‘In one week we’re getting you out of here.’ Nothing is being said,” Johnson said.
She’s been in contact with congressman Don Bacon’s office, who told her the U.S. has been given no guidance on flights.
Rep. Flood said the U.S. is working with commercial airlines to help traveling Americans.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
