A GUERNSEYMAN who was in Washington DC as Hurricane Sandy swept in from the Atlantic, killing at least 16 and knocking out power to more than 7.5m. across the east coast, said people were staying positive and working together.

Patrick Pannett works in public affairs in the central downtown area of Washington DC.

Speaking yesterday Mr Pannett, a former Elizabeth College and Grammar School student, said he stayed at home to ‘ride out the storm’.

‘We had some quite gusty winds and a lot of rain, about six to seven inches, but on the whole the DC area avoided anything major beyond downed trees and a few scattered pieces of building being blown loose.