Cork students stuck in New York amid flight chaos due to snow storms

A group of 25 students from Cork, who are on a school tour in the US, have become stranded due to a major snow storm.

As a result of the weather event, which is sweeping across North America, millions of people have been impacted by grounded flights, disrupted public transport, power outages, and below freezing temperatures.

Over the last number of days, shoppers have taken to the aisles, clearing shelves of essential food and survival items, as the forecasted weather, which includes severe snow, sleet and freezing rain, is expected to hit 35 states, of which 19 have declared a state of emergency.

Among those who are impacted are a group of students and teachers from Coláiste Éamann Rís in Cork city, who are visiting New York as part of a planned school tour.

New York is among the 19 states which have declared a state of emergency, with thousands of international and domestic flights cancelled due to poor visibility.

Speaking to The Echo, geography, business and economics teacher at Coláiste Éamann Rís, Brian Kenny, who is currently with the group in New York, said students are “enjoying the novelty” of heavy snowfall.

“Our flight was cancelled, so we’re grounded in New York. There’s no update on when it’ll be rescheduled,” said Mr Kenny.

“We came over on a school trip – we have 25 students, three teachers and a parent with us – it was a sight-seeing tour, to take in New York city, but we’ve had an extended stay now!

“Fortunately enough, they had availability in the hotel we were booked into, so they were able to facilitate us.

“Our coach driver was in contact this morning to say they wouldn't be able to collect us, so we never actually went to the airport.

“Our flight was due to leave at 8.50pm tonight, but the weather is actually due to get worse throughout the day,” he added.

“It’s 11am now, and it’s meant to peak at about 3pm – it's snowing quite heavily, but workers are out clearing footpaths and snow ploughs have been moving up and down the streets.

“The students have actually been enjoying the novelty of it so far.

“It’s -11 degrees outside, so it’s quite cold, but we were prepared, everybody has on their winter gear.

“There are upwards of 8,000 flights cancelled across the US, so we’re just one of many.

“It only started snowing last night, but it had been bitterly cold; it got down as far as –13 degrees Celsius yesterday, and a local said the real feel would be around –22.

“I don’t think there’s any need for concern yet, we’ll have a better idea of where we’re going and what we’re doing later.

“It’s okay for now, we could be pushed out for another couple of days, but hopefully JFK will be up and running tomorrow.”