Superstorm Sandy is close to arriving in the United States, and yesterday there were a series of precautionary measures issued, which today there are many newspaper headlines full of notes and pictures on the first effects of which now is only a super storm.

U.S. President Barack Obama made it clear that his priority was American families, and the victims that could result from the devastation the hurricane will leave behind.

Among the hardest hit areas are New York and New Jersey, where the suspension of work and educational activities have been suspended, which has triggered an alarm.

SanDiegoRed chatted exclusively with two citizens originally from Tijuana, who now live in these affected areas and narrated their experiences to prepare to meet Sandy.

Melissa Reyes Navarro who has resided in South River, New Jersey now for seven years said: "There is no electricity and its very windy, but it's not raining that much although some rivers are already overgrown and have flooded several streets around here, and supposedly were told not go out after 2 pm, but some people are going out to buy food and water or things that are needed, in case the shops and stores closed completely or if people could come out of their homes at all".

Reyes Navarro added that last year they experienced a similar situation with Hurricane Irene, and that it did not get out of control, but now they are expecting a lot more damage. Every year storm and hurricane warnings are issued and nothing much would happen, and that was the reason of why people did not pay much attention or believe. She said that the city she lives in should be evacuated but had not seen anyone move out, and that there only groups of police, fire and rescue personnel constantly patrolling the area.

Another story is that of Vanessa Monroy who has also lived on the island of Manhattan for several years now.

Vanessa said that they had high winds and rain, which they had to also evacuate areas in the east part of the city near Battery Park campuses, where it has been estimated that around 3 pm (New York time) the rainfall will be more intense.

She also added that they have suspended transport systems and activities in schools today and tomorrow.

Government officials have warned the inhabitants of the region of the force the super storm Sandy may generate in the next few hours.

Brenda.Colon@sandiegored.com

Joy.Ruvalcaba@sandiegored.com

Translation : Omar.Martinez@sandiegored.com