Haverfordwest newlyweds caught up in New York snow storm

James Phillips, an operating department practioner at Withybush Hospital and his wife Bethan, an administrator with Pembrokeshire Libraries, travelled to the Big Apple last Wednesday (January 20).

James had booked the five day trip as a surprise for Bethan’s birthday last November, but little did he know the east coast of America would be experiencing one of the worst snow blizzards in decades, affectionately known as ‘Snowmaggedon.’

New York was left unrecognisable after witnessing its second-highest snowfall since records began. Central Park was buried under 30 inches of snow and Times Square was deserted due to a traffic ban.

The couple, who married last June, said the extreme weather did not ruin their trip.

“We managed to fit in most of the major sights before it began snowing late Friday night,” said Bethan.

“The American news channels were full of weather warnings and although there was a travel ban implemented by the Governor of New York on Saturday afternoon, many tourists set out on foot to see the effects of the blizzard and most major shops and services were open until around 2pm.

“We made it to Times Square during the snowfall on Saturday morning where there were lots of people shovelling and ploughing.”

James and Bethan had planned to see the Statue of Liberty but ferries were cancelled on Saturday and there were staffing issues on Sunday. They were also turned away from a Broadway show despite buying tickets that morning.

They visited Central Park on Sunday after all the roads had been cleared and the travel ban lifted.

“It was full of New Yorkers and tourists having fun in the snow,” said Bethan.

“They were sledging, throwing snowballs and there were even some people on skis.

“We have both never seen so much snow before. It's definitely and experience we'll never forget.”

James and Bethan returned home on Sunday evening and were lucky that their flight from Newark Airport was the only one not to be cancelled or delayed.