A surfer makes his way out into the water as a subtropical storm “Alberto” approaches on Monday, May 28, 2018, in Pensacola, Fla. The storm gained the early jump on the 2018 hurricane season as it headed toward anticipated landfall sometime Monday on the northern Gulf Coast, where white sandy beaches emptied of their usual Memorial Day crowds. (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., has cautioned Filipinos living near the southeastern part of the United States against subtropical storm “Alberto.”
In an advisory issued on Monday, the DFA urged Filipino communities in the states of Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi to “take extra precaution,” and follow the warnings of local authorities as the storm enters the northern Gulf coast.
READ: ‘Alberto’ strikes Gulf Coast with dangerous surf, heavy rain
Citing information from the embassy, the DFA said Alberto is expected to dump heavy rain, consequently advising all Filipinos in the affected areas to prepare for flash floods, storm surges, strong winds, and tornadoes.
“There are 179,647 Filipinos in the areas that could be affected (151,376 in Florida; 14,409 in Tennessee; and 8,244 in Alabama; and 5,683 in Mississippi),” DFA said in a statement.
“Filipinos who may require assistance in cases of emergency are requested to call +1-202-368-2767,” DFA added.
According to the DFA, Alberto is the first storm in the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. /kga