A massive rescue and relief operation is underway after the devastating typhoon that has crippled the Philippines, and here on Long Island, residents with ties to the region are looking for ways to pitch in.

Members of the Tanglaw Filipino-American Society of Long Island are gathering donations of food, clothing and supplies.

Many Long Island residents are struggling to contact loved ones in the region after the storm's powerful winds and heavy rains knocked out power and communications on several islands in the region.

The official death toll still stands at around 1,000 people, but authorities in the Philippines expect the final toll to be many times that.