Dubai: Travellers to the US were warned over a subtropical storm expected to affect the states from Florida to Louisiana during the Memorial Day weekend.
On Sunday, the UAE Consulate in New York issued a warning to residents living or travelling to the US, urging them to follow safety precautions following the first storm of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season.
In the event of an emergency, citizens can contact local police authorities at 911 or the consulate’s number at +1 646-630-2575.
#UAE Citizens: A tropical storm warning is in effect for #Florida, #Alabama and #Mississippi. Stay tuned to local weather stations for updates. For emergencies, please call 911 & do not hesitate to call the Consulate at 646-630-2575 for assistance. #Alberto @MOFAUAE
— UAE Consulate in NYC (@UAEinNYC) May 27, 2018
The governors of Florida, Mississippi and Alabama already declared a state of emergency by Saturday morning, as Subtropical Storm Alberto is expected to dump prolific rainfall, usher winds of 70 km/h (40 mph) and cause flooding in certain parts by Monday.
Here's the latest information on Subtropical Storm #Alberto:
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) May 27, 2018
This system has begun to organize in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Winds have gusted as high as 44 mph in the far western Florida Keys. These winds will spread to the Florida Keys and to the west coast overnight. pic.twitter.com/A7xfWgbv5Z
On Saturday evening, storm Alberto was located about 153 km north of the western tip of Cuba and 440 km southwest of the Dry Tortugas, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
FYI, in case you needed a copy of the list. #Alberto pic.twitter.com/Ml1KN8QKHS
— WeatherTAP (@weatherTAP) May 25, 2018
Royal Dutch Shell plc (RDSa.L) and Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) evacuated some personnel from offshore Gulf oil facilities on Friday, according to Reuturs, who also reported that “Alberto’s projected storm track has lessened its threat to the active oil production areas in the Gulf of Mexico”.