Filipinos not spared from Hurricane Sandy

THE Philippine Embassy in Washington has received reports that Filipino nationals were not spared from the wrath Hurricane Sandy, which has already killed 40 people.

In a report, Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia said they have already received reports from Filipino community leaders regarding the effects of the storm to Filipinos.

"The Embassy has received reports that an undetermined number of Filipinos have been affected," said Cuisia.

He quickly stressed, however, that there have been no reports of Filipinos being included in the death toll.

"Neither the Philippine Embassy nor the Philippine Consulate General in New York has received any report of possible Filipino casualties," said Cuisia.

There is an estimated 460,000 Filipinos in 13 states across the eastern seaboard of the United States.

Earlier this week, whipping winds and heavy rains ravaged the eastern United States that resulted in the death of 40 people, including at least 18 in New York City, and millions others left reeling from the effects of Sandy.

Cuisia also said reports from the Filipino community indicate that a number of Filipinos in New Jersey and New York have fled their homes due to floodwaters that the super storm spawned shortly before it made landfall near Cape May in the southern coast of New Jersey.

He also said that the Embassy has received reports that Filipinos have been affected by floodwaters in Atlantic City, Jersey City, Keansburg, and New Milford in New Jersey and in Inwood in Long Island, New York resulting in a number of Filipinos being evacuated.

The envoy added that thousands more of Filipinos are among the 1.5 million people who are now without power in Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine and Ohio.

In South Carolina, the officers and crew of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF16) emerged unscathed from the storm that struck the Charleston area, where the warship is being refurbished and refitted.

Cuisia said a team will continue to be on a 24-hour-standby at the Embassy to respond to any request for assistance from Filipinos affected by the typhoon; monitor the progress of the storm; and receive updates from the Filipino Community. (HDT/Sunnex)