Ozark Christian College students stranded in New York City - KOAM TV 7

Fourteen Ozark Christian College students are among those stranded in New York City.  The students were in New York for a Foundations of Church planning class and were supposed to return to Joplin on Monday, until Sandy canceled flights and delayed their plans.

This is the students second trip to New York City this semester and they told us in a phone interview that this is not quite the education weekend they were planning for.

"Flooding and debris flying and just a lot of other craziness going on throughout the city," says Matt James, one of the Ozark Christian College students stranded in New York.  "We literally just found out that our flight got canceled again, because the airports, the runway, is still under water right now."

James says events from Monday night were intense, with police sirens and fallen trees and damaged roofs visible from their fifth story window.

"It was neat to be here, but at the same time it was a little scary, but yeah, the likelihood of us being here during this time is super rare," says James.

James says they are staying positive and trying to make the most of this once in a lifetime event.  Like many others in New York they made it outside once the storm passed to help pick up debris.

James says they are continuing to check the airport schedules and hope to be booked on a flight home by the end of the week.  In the meantime, they are staying busy with lots of movies and even creating their own version of "Survivor".

OCC Academic Dean Doug Aldridge discovered his 14 students were stuck in the midst of Superstorm Sandy via his personal Facebook.

Aldrige says while OCC students often travel for their education, this is not something that they prepared for.

"We have students travel around the world and they have never gotten stranded before," says Aldridge.  "I think some thought it would be a great adventure and I think it was until the storm actually hit."