Filipinos in US told to stay indoors

MANILA -- Amid the massive destruction expected from Hurricane Sandy, the Philippine Embassy in the United States strongly urged Filipinos there to stay out of the way of what is believed to be one of the biggest storms to hit the country ever.

In an advisory, Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia said Filipinos there should always heed the warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

"The Embassy reiterates the need for Filipinos, particularly in the New York and New Jersey areas, to continue to monitor the situation, stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel until after US authorities declare that the danger posed by Hurricane Sandy is over," said Cuisia.

He noted how Sandy is expected to wreak havoc in the East Coast that will likely affect more than 60 million people, including an estimated 460,000 Filipino nationals.

In its latest advisory Monday night in the US, the envoy also stressed that the estimated 38,900 Filipinos in Ohio and Michigan should continue to monitor local media for storm-related announcements.

"Avoid the coastlines of the Great Lakes as Hurricane Sandy is expected to make its way up the Northeastern United States after making landfall in New Jersey early this evening," said Cuisia.

Sandy roared ashore with fierce winds and heavy rain on Monday night that resulted in forced evacuations, shutting down of transportation systems, and interruption on the US presidential campaign.

The Philippine Embassy was also closed on Tuesday due to Hurricane Sandy.

However, Filipino community leaders are told that they could relay information and updates on Filipinos, who could have been displaced or affected in one way or another by Hurricane Sandy, by calling or texting the Philippine Embassy at 202-368-2767 or e-mailinginfo@philippinesusa.org.

The public is also advised to monitor the Embassy's website for the announcement of the resumption of normal operations.

In a related development, the Filipino envoy reported that there were no Filipino casualties during the deadly sweep of Hurricane Sandy across the Caribbean earlier.

Cuisia said their Filipino leaders in Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, Haiti, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago have informed the Embassy that all their members are accounted for. (HDT/Sunnex)