Abu Dhabi: The UAE embassy in Washington has issued a Hurricane Sandy warning for residents, UAE students, patients and families living in the United States.
The embassy has set up special operations in preparation for the hurricane that is predicted to hit various parts of the US east coast.
A Hurricane Sandy Preparedness statement from the embassy reads: “Hurricane Sandy is fast approaching the East Coast of the United States and in particular, the Interstate 95 corridor, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Massachussetts and the New England Region.”
It advises people to stock up on food and medical supplies, ensure cars are full of petrol and that emergency kits including water, blankets and torches are prepared.
Phone operators will be available at the embassy around the clock to answer all emergency calls from Emirati residents, visitors, patients and students.
The special operations unit is also connected to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi to exchange any information.
The embassy has also urged residents and students not to head to other states in the east coast, particularly New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts as they might also be affected by the hurricane.
UAE nationals in the US are advised to follow the national disaster preparedness instructions that include paying attention to news broadcasts on developing storms and their projected paths.
Meanwhile the UAE Foreign Ministry has advised Emirati citizens who are currently in the United States, especially in areas overlooking the US East Coast, to take extra caution..
The ministry appealed to UAE citizens currently present in areas on the US East Coast to exercise utmost caution as the State of Virginia, and other areas like Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South New England were bracing for epic hurricane Sandy.
According to Eisa Abdullah Al Kalbani, Director of Citizens’ Affairs Department at the ministry, Emiratis were advised to heed safety instructions given by local US authorities.
In case of any emergency, citizens were asked to call the following hot lines: UAE Embassy in Washington (0012024315530), UAE Mission in New York (0012123710480) and Ministry Operations room (0097122222000).
