By Roy Mabasa
Filipino communities in the areas of Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina are told to brace for the onslaught of Hurricane Florence, which is feared to be an “extremely dangerous, life-threatening, historic hurricane" ever to hit that part of the United States in a lifetime.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
In a message released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), it reiterated its earlier advisory for members of the Filipino community in the southeastern part of the US to take the necessary precautions as Hurricane Florence continues to intensify as it approaches land.
An estimated 150,000 Filipino community members are situated in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
“They have been told to keep themselves updated on the progress of the storm and to heed orders from local authorities,” the foreign affairs office said in the statement.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said Washington, D.C. has followed the states of Maryland and Virginia in declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of the torrential rain and flooding expected to be brought about by the hurricane.
Romualdez said the Embassy will continue to monitor developments and coordinate with the Filipino Community in these areas.
He likewise urged Filipinos, who may find themselves in emergency situations, to call the embassy at (202) 368 2767.