TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Houston, Florida, has said that Indonesians are safe from Hurricane Irma.
To avoid hurricane fatalities, the KJRI in Houston issued a warning on September 5 to Indonesians currently living in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida to step up vigilance as Hurricane Irma approaches. “Indonesians are asked to follow the instruction of local authorities to evacuate to designated shelters,” KJRI in Houston said in a statement issued on Monday.
The KJRI has contacted and coordinated with local figureheads and Indonesian students in Florida and Georgia as well as local authorities. “Communication has also been established with the Indonesian Embassy Education and Culture Attaché in Washington DC to monitor the preparedness of Indonesians to face Hurricane Irma and its impact.”
KJRI said that dozens of students have evacuated to North Miami Beach Senior Shelter, Tampa, New Orleans and Atlanta, among others. Meanwhile, three students have evacuated by plane to Washington DC before the local airport was closed.
Some of Indonesians have evacuated to shelters and others have opted to stay in their homes or move to the houses of other Indonesians. Data from KJRI in Houston shows that 2,595 Indonesians and 542 Indonesian students live in Florida as of July.
Those who need information and assistance may call 24-hour hotline +1 346-932-7284.
Hurricane Irma (category 4-5) hit Florida on Sunday, causing heavy rain in Florida Keys, Southeast Florida and Georgia beach. Southwest Florida beach was hit by 6-12 feet of flooding from Saturday night to Sunday morning.
ROSSENO AJI NUGROHO