Escape from full force of Hurricane Katrina (From Warrington Guardian)

Escape from full force of Hurricane Katrina

A NORTHWICH couple trapped in one of the worst hurricanes to hit America have spoken of their relief after surviving the storm unscathed.

Karen and Phil Gilston moved from Castle to Baton Rouge, just an hour's drive away from the devastated New Orleans, in October last year, but say that being caught up in Hurricane Katrina has not put them off their new home.

After experiencing 70mph winds and a 12-hour power cut caused by the fiercest storm Baton Rouge has faced, the Gilston's are just relieved it was no worse.

Karen, 47, said: "We do love it here and this has not put us off.

"It was exciting without being really, really scary - there was no real damage done and no one was hurt around here, as far as we know.

"But when looking at what's happened in New Orleans - I was shocked when I saw the news once the electricity was back on.

"It's only an hour's drive away and we usually go there once a month - it's really sad."

She added: "Our pool is a mess and houses are a mess all around but it's nothing compared to New Orleans."

Karen and Phil's best friends from Castle, Andy and Lorraine Hough and their daughter Georgie, were also caught up in the hurricane, as they were staying with the Gilston's over the weekend.

Karen said the hurricane had almost chased the Hough's, who arrived in Florida late last week and came to stay in Baton Rouge to avoid it.

This was the first hurricane the Gilston's had experienced but Karen said the neighbours all pulled together and offered them help and advice to get through it.

She said: "Everyone was looking out for each other - people were ringing up before the hurricane saying we need to fill the bath so we have clean water and asking if we were all right or if we needed anything."

She added: "It was scary at some points but not terrifying."