‘It’s been chaos’: West End woman flies back to U.S. amid air strikes in the Middle East
VENN
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Lisa Sprosty, of Henrico County's West End, left Richmond International Airport for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday afternoon. However, her plans for a work conference abroad were changed dramatically.
"It's been chaos," Sprosty said. "It's been a little bit of chaos."
After landing in her second connection from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Paris on Saturday, Feb. 28, she learned about the U.S. and Israel bombing Iran, creating a whirlwind of strain and stress.
"There was a lot of uncertainty and chaos that ensued," Sprosty said. "The airports didn't really know what was going on because at the time the airspace had not been closed."
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More countries have since been hit, including the UAE. Americans in more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries are urged to leave.
"Nobody knew where I was in my travel[s], like what station. 'Did I make it [to] Dubai? Did I make it to Abu Dhabi?' I did have to put out a quick Facebook message out," Sprosty said. "I called a few people, but, again, it was like 4 in the morning in the [United] States. So, some people knew, some people didn't know."
Sprosty explained he raced to catch a flight to JFK International Airport in New York City, as tens of thousands were waiting for a flight back to safety.
"My office is dealing with Virginians who are stranded overseas trying to find a way to get back home," said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) on Wednesday, March 4.
In a Zoom interview with 8News, Sprosty -- who had to take a train to Philadelphia to take part in her rescheduled work conference -- said she will be back in Richmond on Saturday, March 7, after having spent more than 72 hours at airports.
"I say by the grace of God it happened a few hours sooner, because if it had been four hours later, I would have been in the air, I would have been in the UAE and I wouldn't be in Philadelphia talking to you. I'd be trying to evacuate out," Sprosty said.
Though she's back in the U.S., Sprosty's heart also goes out to those who are away from their homes. She asks for everyone to keep those separated from loved ones in their prayers.
