The Philippine Embassy is urging Filipino communities in the East Coast to take all necessary precautions and brace themselves for Hurricane Irma, which is projected to hit the Caribbean islands and surrounding areas, Puerto Rico, and the state of Florida within the next few days.
The US National Hurricane Center has now classified Hurricane Irma as a Category 5 hurricane, with potentially catastrophic damage to its path.
“We advise all our kababayans staying along the path of Hurricane Irma to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel until the storm has passed,” said Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Minister Patrick Chuasoto.
As part of the preparations, the Philippine Embassy also recommends to the Filipino communities in the affected areas to stock up on food and other emergency provisions, monitor developments, and heed the guidance and warnings of local authorities.
The Embassy has jurisdiction over Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, Haiti, Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, Guadeloupe, and Dominica.
The latest projections also show Hurricane Irma moving towards the state of Florida, where a state of emergency has been declared.
Filipinos who may require assistance may reach the Philippine Embassy through the following contact information: Emergency hotline: 202-368-2767; Email addresses: [email protected] / [email protected]; Facebook: http://facebook.com/philippinesusa
(Eagle News Service, with a report from Philippine consular office in the US, Eagle News Service)
