UAE embassy in Washington shut as hurricane approaches

Dubai: The UAE embassy in Washington has issued a hurricane warning for “residents, UAE students, patients and families living in the United States.”

The statement, on Hurricane Sandy Preparedness, 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. Please use caution and stay in touch with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates. If you need assistance 24/7 at: +1-202-243-2400, stay indoors as much as possible and only if it is safe to do so."

It also advised people to "follow the national disaster preparedness instructions”, which include paying attention to news broadcasts on developing storms and their projected paths, keeping their car’s gas tank full, going to the grocery store to stock up on supplies and having a disaster supplies kit with water, food, medicines, flashlights and a portable radio.