By Sarah Robinson

Last updated at 11:36, Thursday, 01 November 2012

THREE Copeland friends on a trip-of-a-lifetime to New York are stranded in their hotel as Hurricane Sandy leaves a trail of devastation in its wake.

Eerie: New York in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Picture courtesy of Serenitbee

The women – Jill White, from Whitehaven and Andrea Fowler and Gayle Curwen, from Cleator Moor – had enjoyed a shopping trip in the Big Apple but their plans to return home on Monday were thwarted when their flights were cancelled.

They are now confined to their hotel where they can see the devastating effects of the hurricane as power cables dangle, debris litters the streets and the stormy weather continues.

Speaking to The Whitehaven News on Tuesday, Jill said: “Last night was pretty rough and it was quite scary. We’re all being told to stay put. There is a lot of debris on the roads and electrical cables everywhere.”

The three are expected to catch the next available flights home next Monday but because their insurance does not cover hurricanes, they will have to pay for their accommodation until then.

US President Barack Obama declared a “major disaster” in New York state. The subway system was submerged, trees uprooted and homes have been destroyed in what is now being called Superstorm Sandy.

The storm has ripped through the east coast of America, causing flooding and cutting power to millions.

The three Copeland women have been contacted by well-wishing friends and family who are concerned about their safety.

Jill said: “We have had some lovely texts and phone calls from friends and family.

“They have given us lots of support.

“It’s a bit better today (Tuesday) but it’s still very wet and windy.

“The hailstones are battering against the windows now and it’s very dark. It’s very strange.

“We are two blocks away from a crane cab that overturned. It’s really quiet. There’s a couple of cars on the road but apart from that there’s no-one outside. It’s scary but we’re just staying put,” she said.

Most of the bridges have re-opened for the emergency services to use.

Jill said they had had a wonderful time but were aware that the hurricane was heading for New York while they were there. They tried to contact the airline on Sunday to see if their were any alternative flights, but later found out the flights had been cancelled.

She said there was a mass exodus of people out of the hotel and surrounding area as holidaymakers and residents left the city to avoid the imminent hurricane.

Jill said: “We could tell that it was getting quite windy and something big was going to happen. We’re just staying put now and watching the news. There’s nothing else we can do.”

Other worried families and friends from across Copeland have been desperately trying to contact loved ones who have been affected by the major disaster.

• Also in your Whitehaven News this week, read about the relief of a Seascale woman to find her brother – who lives in a yacht off Rhode Island – is safe; and the St Bees clergyman whose friends and family have been at the centre of the superstorm.
• Are you on the holiday in the United States? Share your news, views and photos - email sarah.robinson@whitehaven-news.co.uk

First published at 11:34, Thursday, 01 November 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk