No Filipino dead, injured from Storm Harvey in Texas: DFA

August 28, 2017

No Filipinos have been reported to have perished in Texas from Storm Harvey, one of the most devastating storms in the southern state's history, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday

Storm Harvey, which triggered massive flooding in Houston and surrounding areas, left at least five persons dead and more than a dozen injured, the DFA said.

The DFA, quoting initial reports from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles said none among the 80,000-strong Filipino community in Houston and surrounding areas have been reported to be among  dead or injured.

According to Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz, there are approximately 70,000 members of the Filipino community in Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States; 5,000 in Rio Grande Valley; and another 5,000 in San Antonio.

"Our hearts go out to the people of Houston, including the thousands of our kababayan, who have to go through this terrible ordeal," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement issued upon his arrival from Kuala Lumpur last night.

"We offer our deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in this disaster," Secretary Cayetano said. "We will continue to pray for Houston and its people."

Cayetano said the Consulate General in Los Angeles and the Honorary Consulate in Houston continue to monitor the effects of the storm, such as flooding, damage to property and power disruptions, which are expected to affect members of the Filipino Community.

Cruz said the Consulate General and the Honorary Consulate remain on alert 
as the storm, which dumped more than 26 inches of rain in Metro Houston in the past two days, is expected to trigger "catastrophic flooding" in next few days.

 DMS