NYPD, FDNY race to aid relief effort
COMMUNICATION STILL CUT OFF
NEW YORK CITY is stepping up to help Puerto Rico after its lights-out battering by Hurricane Maria.
The city will send dozens of NYPD cops and firefighters as part of the Urban Search and Rescue New York Task Force 1, Mayor de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said Thursday.
There are nine first responders already on the island — who traveled there for Hurricane Irma and stayed put — and 27 more are waiting at Stewart International Airport in Orange County to take off as soon as they get clearance to land in Puerto Rico.
The city is also sending an Office of Emergency Management team with eight to 10 people to assist San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz.
“My message to all Puerto Ricans is New York City stands with you,” de Blasio said.
Maria knocked out power to the entire island of 3.5 million people.
City employees can have money deducted from their paychecks to support the relief effort, and other New Yorkers can donate through the Hispanic Federation or the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.
City workers who want to volunteer can take time off using vacation days or unpaid leave, and the city is working to arrange free flights and accommodations for volunteers.
Dropoff spots will also be set up in all five boroughs for donations of batteries, first-aid supplies, diapers and baby food. Officials stressed that they’ll only accept donations of those four items, because other items can get in the way.
“Not one area of the island was spared,” said Mark-Viverito, who grew up in Puerto Rico.
Mark-Viverito (photo below) said she’s been in contact with her mother who still lives there. The mom is safe.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (DBrooklyn and Manhattan) said the federal government must also step up its response, estimating the storm will cause as least $10 billion in damage. Velazquez has not been able to get in touch with her own family on the island, she said.
“This is an unprecedented event that requires a monumental response,” she
said.