The US State Department said on Thursday that foreign diplomatic missions in Houston area should be prepared for Hurricane Rita, which is expected to hit the US coast late Friday or early Saturday.

"We will certainly be guided by the warnings and the actions from state and local authorities concerning the track of the hurricane and what their recommendations are in terms of evacuation and securing facilities," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing.

The spokesman said that there are about 37 foreign diplomatic missions in Houston area.

"We're going to be working closely with them in terms of what steps those foreign missions might take, to be in touch with their foreign nationals that are in the affected area," he said.

McCormack also said that the State Department encourages foreign nationals in Houston area to get in touch with their diplomatic missions in local area or in Washington.

Source: Xinhua