By Pam McClounie and Emily Parsons

Last updated at 11:54, Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Former News & Star journalist Mark Hughes had a lucky escape after a tree uprooted and hit the New York taxi he was travelling in.

Former News and Star journalist Mark Hughes, left, from Houghton, who is now the Daily Telegraph's New York correspondent, next to a tree

Mark, who is now the Daily Telegraph’s correspondent in New York, described the moment as “terrifying”.

He said the taxi driver was “shaken” after the tree had hit his cab and had pulled over and said: “I’m going home.”

Mark, whose family live on Tribune Drive in Houghton, said last night: “The most disturbing thing about being in New York right now is the noise – horrible howling winds.”

As Mark, a former Trinity School pupil, was making his way around New York an 8th Avenue sign flew off a lamp post and landed at his feet. He described it as a “scary moment”.

In the days before the storm, Mark, who lives in Brooklyn, described how the weather had slowly got worse.

He said: “In the days running up to Hurricane Sandy it was very windy and we had a bit of rain.

“The Subway shut at 7pm on Sunday so it’s been difficult to get around. There are very few people at work.

“I bought some supplies on Sunday night – water, chocolate, cereal – basically stuff that won't go off if the power goes down.

“The supermarket I went to was really busy, loads of people getting prepared.

“Not sure if you'd call it panic buying or just people being sensible.

“I’m working through the storm but most people will see it out in typical fashion -– sitting at home, maybe even working from home if they can, and waiting for the worst of it to pass.”

A Cumbrian-themed deli in New York, Myers of Keswick, was still one of the few stores open for business yesterday.

Peter Myers, runs Myers of Keswick in Greenwich Village, selling Cumberland sausage, pies, Heinz beans and HP Sauce to homesick expats.

Mr Myers said: “We were one of the few stores open in Lower Manhattan. Our world famous Cumberland Sausage must get through.

“Nearly every shop around us remains closed, even the banks. Saturday and Sunday were very busy with people preparing for Sandy.

“A usually busy Hudson Street remained quiet and empty yesterday. As I looked out of my window there was just one lonely cab driver going by.”

Teacher Sarah Ledger, 47, of Cedar Grove, Stanwix, arrived in New York on a five-day city break with two friends – Kate James and Lyn Gathercole – from Carlisle. She had been saving up for the special trip for two years, using it as her reward and motivation for losing nine stone.

However, the trio landed to find a city in the process of lockdown, and were forced to abandon their sight-seeing plans – struggling even to find a diner to eat.

Last night on Twitter, Sarah, who teaches at William Howard School in Brampton, said: “We are safe but we can hear Sandy roaring outside.

“Kate has suggested we go surfing off the Jersey Shore, and, you know, I like that idea.”

This morning she told the News & Star that reports of the Empire State Building being the only one standing were simply untrue.

Describing the scene and atmosphere during the monster hurricane, Sarah said: “We were advised to shut the curtains in case the wind shattered the windows - the hotel will also suspend the lift if the storm gets worse.

“We went to a bar last night, and it was just like a movie – everyone sitting at the bar watching the news.”

While the worst of the hurricane passed, attractions and public transport remains closed throughout the city today, leaving the three Carlisle women unable to see the major sights.

“On the local news, the two items about damage have been about a fallen crane and considerable damage to a house front,” Sarah continued. “My guess is it will be the lack of transport today that is the problem.”

She now hopes the attractions reopen tomorrow, to allow two days of intense sightseeing – providing JFK airport opens in time for them to leave on Thursday.

Despite it being half-term for schools, travel agents in Carlisle are reporting that few Cumbrians have been affected by the hurricane.

A spokesman for Thomas Cook, in English Street, said: "We are very lucky – most of our people seem to have gone to the Canary Islands."

He said that colleagues at the store had checked their databases, but so far appear not to have any affected customers.

The view was echoed by Worldwide Travel Connections in Greystone Road, Carlisle.

A woman there told the News & Star: "We have customers who are either already there and are not due back for some time, or who are not due to go for sometime.

"It's very serious, but it happens quite regularly."

First published at 11:41, Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk