Could be worse? Blizzard leaves Long Islanders stranded in Florida

One family of seven rented a car to get home

As Long Island dug out from a historic blizzard that struck on the heels of the mid-winter school recess, some families were watching it all unfold from 1,000 miles away — stranded in Florida.

With airports shut down and flights grounded, what was supposed to be a quick President’s Week escape to warmer weather turned into an extended stay in the Sunshine State for many Long Islanders trying to get home.

Some travelers told Greater Long Island they spent hours on the phone and online attempting to rebook.

One person said they selected the “call back” option while waiting to speak with a JetBlue agent — and didn’t hear back for 12 hours. By then, the only available flights weren’t until this coming weekend.

Mike Dellicurti of Wantagh had traveled south with his family for the school break, hoping to escape the cold. But with work obligations waiting back home and no immediate flights available, he said staying longer wasn’t realistic.

Facing the possibility of further delays — and mounting hotel costs — the family of seven made a different decision: rent a car and drive back to Long Island.

“We couldn’t take a chance,” Dellicurti said. “We had a great time down here but we had to get back.”

Others tried to keep perspective.

“There are worse places to get stuck during a storm,” Samantha Carnaxide, a hospital nurse and Hauppauge High School graduate, told Greater Long Island.

She and her fiancé, Matt (pictured), had traveled to the Florida Keys for a Saturday night wedding.

Their Sunday night flight home was canceled, and the next available direct flight on Delta wasn’t until Wednesday. Instead, they rented a car and drove to Boca Raton, where her father lives.

In a twist of timing, Carnaxide said her dad — who winters in Florida — has been scheduled to fly back to New York on Tuesday for months and may arrive home before she does.

On a GLI Facebook post asking if anyone was stuck trying to return, one Long Islander summed up the mood.

“Oh yes, I am stuck in a warm climate. What shall I do 😂,” Sheamus Hunt wrote.

---