In this edition of Countdown, we cover the ongoing search and rescue efforts in Florida following the massive devastation of Hurricane Ian.
The current death toll from the storms stands at 98, with 94 in Florida and four in North Carolina.
Search and rescue operations continue, with people and resources from all over the country, including our region, contributing to the cause.
The New York Red Cross sent a small contingent to Florida over the weekend, and dozens of members of elite task forces in New York and New Jersey were also deployed over the weekend at the request of FEMA.
So how important a role do these foreign teams play in saving lives after such a disaster?
Desiree Reiner, American Red Cross External Relations Officer for our region, joined us live.
Here are other headlines from Monday’s show:
Wake up FDNY EMS Lt
Family, friends and colleagues gathered to pay their respects to FDNY EMS Lt. Allison Russo-Elling, who was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack. Abbey Funeral Home in Commack, New York.
Interviews with asylum seekers
The crisis of asylum seekers being bused to sanctuary cities from the Deep South is growing. More than 16,000 migrants have gone through the asylum process in New York. Meanwhile, dozens of demonstrators took to the streets of the Bronx to protest the presence of migrants there.
Although there are many more who are just looking for ways to help newcomers, including members of the non-profit organization City Island Rising, who are currently holding a clothing drive. City Island Rising member David Diaz joined us to discuss the issue.
SCOTUS is a new term
On Monday, the US Supreme Court marked the beginning of a new mandate. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson took the bench for the first time since his appointment to the Supreme Court. The justices opened today’s hearing hearing arguments on the scope of the Clean Water Act. The case seeks to limit the EPA’s authority to regulate waterways.
You can watch “Countdown” live Monday through Friday at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7NY.com or on our ABC7NY app on Roku, FireTV, Apple TV and Android TV.
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