Paralympian Charlotte Henshaw from Mansfield has been tweeting from New York as Hurricane Sandy devastated the city and north east US coastline.
Henshaw, who won silver in the SB6 100m Breaststroke tweeted saying she was very close to a collapsed crane in New York.
So that massive crane that has collapsed is one street away! Officially scared now!
Pupils and a teacher from a Leicester school have barricaded themselves inside a hotel in New York after being caught in one of the biggest storms in living memory.
Thirty-eight sixth formers from Leicester High School for Girls are currently taking shelter in their hotel in Times Square.
Hurricane Sandy is expected to hit New York shortly bringing with it gusts of over 85 mph and flooding. Almost 400,000 people have been evacuated from the coast by the US authorities.
The teacher has reassured everyone back in the UK saying that they are safe with plenty of water and food.
The school Media and Marketing assistant said in a statement from Leicester:
– Anne Whitlock"The subway and shops are shut, and food limited, but they are revising, and keeping their spirits up.
"We have been reassured that they are safe, but obviously there is concern, as the hurricane is still to fully impact. Parents are in contact with the girls and the school."
A charity worker from the Midlands is one of millions of people caught in the storm surge of Hurricane Sandy in New York.
David Darg lived in Herefordshire for 20 years before moving to Virginia Beach. He now works for Operation Blessing, who work to alleviate poverty across the world.
But high winds and power shortages have threatened cities along the East Coast as the superstorm batters its way over 800 miles.
Several places have declared states of emergency and subways, buses and commuter trains, as well as schools, have been shut down. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered people in low-lying areas to evacuate.
Eyes are on the big weather story on the other side of the Atlantic; Hurricane Sandy is expected to turn into a monstrous 'super storm'.
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