Pinoys in US, Caribbean advised to prepare for Hurricane Irma
The Philippine government has advised Filipinos living in Florida and the Caribbean to prepare for Hurricane Irma, the Category 5 hurricane described as "potentially catastrophic" by the US National Weather Service.
"Our kababayans in Florida and other parts of the East Coast and the Carribbean must heed the warnings of weather experts and take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement Wednesday.
Filipinos were advised to stock up on food, water, and other emergency provisions, and to monitor developments.
Chargé d'Affaires Patrick Chuasoto of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC said an estimated 150,115 Filipinos live in Florida while 3,607 live in the following Caribbean islands:
- Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Monteserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis
- Saba, St. Eustatius, and Saint Maarten
- British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands
- Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and Haiti
Ambassador to Mexico Eduardo de Vega said some 500 Filipinos live in Cuba and 100 are in the Dominican Republic. Both countries are also expected to be hit by Irma.
"We advise all our kababayans along the path of Hurricane Irma to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel until the storm has passed," Chuasato said.
Filipinos in need of emergency assistance may contact the embassy in Washington at +1-202-368-2767 and in Mexico at +52-155-2771-3776. —Rie Takumi/KBK/KVD, GMA News
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