Hurricane Melissa Now Impacting New Yorkers In Many Ways

The impacts of Hurricane Melissa across New York State are only just beginning.

The death toll from Hurricane Melissa continues to climb. New Yorkers are feeling the storm's impacts in many different ways.

At Least 50 Dead From Hurricane Melissa

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As of Friday morning, at least 50 people are dead across the Caribbean after Hurricane Melissa ripped through the region this week, leaving behind catastrophic flooding and devastation.

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The majority of the deaths have been reported in Haiti, where torrential rains triggered deadly floods and mudslides.

Officials say the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue in Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas.

Melissa is now brushing past Bermuda as a Category 1 storm with sustained winds near 90 miles per hour.

Emotional Toll Impacts New Yorkers

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Experts continue to say Melissa will spare New York after it curves out into the Atlantic. While the Empire State avoided physical damage, the emotional toll is being felt deeply across New York.

That's because thousands of New Yorkers have relatives in the hardest-hit areas, and many are struggling to contact loved ones or find ways to help.

Community organizations across New York with ties to Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas have already launched relief drives and fundraising efforts to send aid to victims. But as those efforts grow, so do scams.

New Yorkers Told To Watch Out For Scams

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The New York State Attorney General’s Office is warning residents to be careful when donating to disaster relief funds. Officials say scammers often exploit tragedies like this, setting up fake charities to steal donations meant for real victims.

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New Yorkers are urged to double-check any organization before giving and to only donate through verified, trusted sources, such as recognized humanitarian groups and official government partners.

25 costliest hurricanes of all time

Although the full extent of damage caused by Hurricane Ian in the Southwest is still being realized, Ian is already being called one of the costliest storms to ever hit the U.S. Stacker took a look at NOAA data to extrapolate the costliest U.S. hurricanes of all time.

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Hurricane Preparation, What Are the Items You Didn't Think Of?

When there is word that a hurricane might threaten the Gulf Coast, we start thinking about what items we need to make life bearable if we end up stuck at home without electricity and internet.

In addition to these creature comforts, we also need to think about the many things that we would need to take with us if we are forced to evacuate.

While we all immediately think of things like prescription medicines and important papers, there are other things that can come in handy whether we will be stuck at home, at a relative's house, or in a shelter.

Filed Under: New York News

Categories: Hudson Valley News