Shropshire pupils in the thick of US superstorm Sandy

Forty-seven pupils and eight members of staff from the Lakelands School, in Ellesmere, and 18 pupils and six members of staff from Idsall School, in Shifnal, are in Manhattan on school trips.

Worried parents at home in Shropshire have been getting information through text messages and social networking sites.

President Barack Obama today declared a 'major disaster' in New York.

Up to 100 homes were destroyed by a huge fire in Queens. The fire began in an area flooded by Sandy after it started sweeping through the city.

The storm knocked out power to more than six million people, caused scares at two nuclear plants, and New York's main utility firm said large sections of lower Manhattan were in darkness.

It has caused an estimated $20 billion (£12.4 million) damage. Replica tall ship HMS Bounty sank, leaving a crew member dead and the captain missing.

New York University hospital was forced to move patients to other hospitals after it lost power and its back-up generator failed. Among them were 20 babies from intensive care.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said: "This is a once-in-a-long-time storm."

The Stock Exchange will be closed again today – the first time it has shut for two consecutive days due to weather since 1888.

Sandy came ashore near Atlantic City, battering Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. The sea surged to 13ft in Manhattan, inundating tunnels and the subway.

Deaths were reported in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Toronto in Canada. Three of the victims are children, one just eight.

Sandy is now moving towards the Great Lakes.

The storm hit the travel plans of many Britons. Among those stranded are pupils and staff from Lakelands School in Ellesmere and Idsall School in Shifnal.

Andrew Lacey, from Shifnal, has daughters – Frances and Kira in New York.

He said: "They are following the guidelines being given out there, obviously I am worried but they are being well looked after."

Many British holidaymakers are stranded in the US because of the deadly weather phenomenon while a large number of tourists due to travel across the Atlantic have been forced to stay at home.

• See also - photos from Superstorm Sandy

A total of 59 flights – 47 departures and 12 arrivals – were cancelled from Heathrow airport yesterday and many scheduled services will now not leave the tarmac today.

Pupils and staff from the Lakelands School were due to fly back today, but their flight was one of the many affected.

Instead, they spent Sunday stocking up on supplies and sat out the storm in their hotel. The youngsters, aged between 13 and 16, are on the half-term cultural visit.

Every pupil was been given a torch because of the threat of power cuts and all contacted their parents to assure them they were safe.

Andrew Lacey, from Shifnal, has two daughters in New York.

Frances, 17, is in Idsall School sixth form and Kira, 15, is also on the trip.

Mr Lacey said he had received a message from his eldest daughter, but had not spoken to her. He said: "I think they are all okay. I heard from Frances saying that the weather was getting worse.

"She sent a message on Facebook and said that Kira was okay too.

"The school phoned to let us know the students are safe and that they are staying in the hotel."

Idsall pupil Alice Cole, 17, from Newport, has been in touch with Frances through Facebook.

In a message to Alice, Frances said that yesterday afternoon they were allowed out of the hotel for two hours. It was raining but when the wind became worse they went back into the hotel.

One mother, from Lyneal, near Ellesmere, who did not wish to be named, said she had had a text message and a call from her 13-year-old daughter.

She said: "She called to say she is fine. They managed to go out for breakfast yesterday and have stayed in the hotel room since."

Stuart Bingham, chairman of the governors of Lakelands School, said: "We are speaking with the staff in New York to get as much information for parents as we can.

"We appreciate parents may be worried, but we can assure them the pupils are safe and in good spirits, with teachers following advice from the New York authorities."

Idsall students flew out to the USA on Saturday for a five-day art trip, but only just made it safely to the Big Apple before airports were closed. The group is due to fly back tomorrow.

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for education and skills, said: "We are aware that groups from Idsall School and Lakelands School are currently on trips to New York and teachers are taking advice from the authorities to ensure they remain safe and well in their hotels.

"We are speaking to the schools to see if they need any support, and parents will be kept informed by the schools if the situation changes."

• Are you from Shropshire or Mid Wales and caught up in the storm? Whether you're an expat or just visiting we'd like to hear from you.

• Send details and photos to newsroom@shropshirestar.co.uk or call (+44) 952 242424 and ask for the newsdesk.