As Hurricane Milton hits Florida, how New Yorkers can help loved ones in harm's way
NEW YORK -- Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida on Wednesday evening, with catastrophic winds, storm surge and flash flooding.
Evacuation orders are in place for more than a dozen counties along the state's central west coast, where this is expected to be a historic and destructive storm.
Several airports have suspended operations, and Disney World and other businesses also closed.
Meanwhile, countless people in the Tri-State Area are worried about their loved ones either in or fleeing the storm's path.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says 65 members of the state's National Guard are being deployed to help with the response.
"As hurricanes wreak devastation along much of the Southeastern United States, we are stepping up to support response efforts for those in need," the governor said in a statement Wednesday. "I am deploying the New York National Guard to protect Floridians in the path of Hurricane Milton - offering resources, assistance and standing united with our neighbors in this time of crisis."
Within 24 hours of the call, a team from the 106th Rescue Wing was deployed Wednesday. The New York Air National Guard unit specializes in combat search and rescue. One aircraft and a team of up to two dozen made the trek to Florida.
"Our primary mission here is readiness," Deputy Commander Sean Garell said. "They're trained on advanced trauma care, medicine, swift water and flood-type rescue, boats, jumping out of aircraft, vehicles."
Volunteers organizing supplies on Long Island
Humanitarian relief efforts are underway on Long Island, where the Lions Club of the Massapequa's are organizing thousands of items that are being dropped off day and night.
"It's very emotional. I've been doing hurricanes since Sandy," volunteer Susan Piccolo said. "It became my passion."
The auto shop Jibaritos Bay Shore is also collecting and sorting items to be shipped.
"You've got to help somebody. Thanks to my community, thanks to my team, they always support," said volunteer Jose Diaz.
In both Nassau and Suffolk counties, flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, blankets, non-perishable food, monetary donations and gift cards have been coming in from local families and businesses. Volunteers are coordinating with boots on the ground to deliver the supplies.
Americares to assist lower-income communities
The nonprofit Americares is already preparing hundreds of pounds of relief to send to the hardest hit areas. Pallets were being packed at its warehouse in Stamford, Connecticut, ahead of Milton's arrival on Florida's central west coast.
"We've been tracking Hurricane Milton since it first started to form in the Gulf (of Mexico) and knew almost immediately. From its first reports, it was going to be major for Florida," said Mariel Fonteyn, director of U.S. emergency response.
With that in mind, Americares is putting together shipments that will serve lower-income communities and people uninsured, focusing on hygiene kits and medicine.
"Americares is specifically working with our clinics that we've worked with, unfortunately, quite a lot in the last few years because of the storms and they've already started reaching out," Fonteyn said.
Americares staff members say they're working with 110 partner clinics across Florida, with the first shipment heading to Clearwater.
Once the path of the hurricane is clear, Americares plans on sending a 500-pound shipment filled with different types of medical supplies.
"We want to help make sure the survivors have access to their healthcare so as they are starting the process of recovery often yet again, their health is protected," Fonteyn said.
Americares staff is still working around the clock to provide care for people reeling from the deadly Hurricane Helene, which rattled parts of Florida two weeks ago. Because of that, they're working with clinics to ensure the physical well-being and mental health of survivors.
"Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton right behind it are devastating communities and devastating to the mental health of the survivors in ways they're also not expecting," Fonteyn said.
Americares plans on sending a crew of people down on Friday to assist on the ground with needs of those impacted by the storm.
How to help donate or volunteer
When disaster strikes, people often turn to the Red Cross, Salvation Army or United Way to send money and supplies or even volunteer.
The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, NVOAD, also vets dozens of organizations on its online registry here.
NVOAD says cash donations are best, and urges against sending unsolicited donations.
"In the early stages of the response phase, most organizations are unable to accommodate any material goods. Unsolicited donations create a challenge of storage and sorting when focus is needed on response and recovery," its website reads.
The group also says volunteers should wait until it is safe to travel, and for the needs on the ground to be identified.
"Be patient. Recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention," the website says. "There will be volunteer needs for many months, often years, after the disaster -- especially when the community enters the long-term recovery period."
How to contact loved ones
In some cases, the Red Cross offers reunification services to help track down missing loved ones.
For other cases that don't qualify for those services, the organization recommends the following tips:
- Try calling during off-peak hours for the best chance of getting through
- Send a text message, which may go through even when calls don't
- Try sending an email
- Send a letter in case their mail is being forwarded to a new location
- Check their social media pages to see if they posted about their status
- Call people they know or places they frequent, like neighbors, employers, schools, places of worship, or senior centers
If you have been impacted by the storm, visit FEMA's website for more emergency relief efforts. FEMA also has tips on how to save family treasures, like books, photographs and documents.
