Hurricane Patricia
United States Consulate General Guadalajara
Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Hurricane Patricia
updated: October 23, 2015
Hurricane Patricia has been upgraded to an extraordinarily dangerous Category 5 hurricane, and is expected to make landfall on Friday, October 23, 2015, along the coast of Michoacan, Colima (which includes Manzanillo), Jalisco (which includes Puerto Vallarta),and/or Nayarit. It is now considered one of the most powerful and dangerous hurricanes in recorded history. If you are in the hurricane warning area, make preparations immediately to protect life and property.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an updated Hurricane Warning for the Pacific Coast of Mexico from San Blas, Nayarit, to Punta San Telmo, Michoacan (see http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/?epac). A hurricane watch is in effect for east of Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for east of Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas.
The center of Hurricane Patricia is expected to make landfall in the hurricane warning area Friday afternoon or evening. Hurricane Patricia is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches, over the states of Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan and Guerrero starting today into Saturday, October 24. These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods, mud slides (especially in areas of mountainous terrain), and high winds up to 200 MPH that could result in downed power lines. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles. A dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding, accompanied by large and destructive waves. Swells may cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. As Hurricane Patricia moves inland, it will continue to produce heavy rainfall, wind, and dangerous conditions. Persons located inland in the path of Hurricane Patricia should take appropriate measures to ensure their safety, particularly those located in areas prone to flooding or mudslides. NOAA recommends that residents in low-lying areas near the coast in the hurricane warning area evacuate immediately.
U.S. citizens should stay in contact with relatives and friends in the United States to apprise them of their whereabouts, both before and after the storm. Visitors should be familiar with their hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans, as well as the location of Mexican government-run emergency shelters. As of12:00 PM tomorrow, October 23, public inquiries regarding U.S. citizens in the area may be directed to telephone number 656-227-3105 or by email,CDJPatriciaTF@state.gov.
U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, local media, and the National Weather Service and Servicio Meteorológico Nacional to stay aware of area weather developments. Please also visit the following U.S. government websites for more information:
· Mexico Country Specific Information: http://www.travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/mexico.html
· Hurricane Season “Know Before You Go”: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/emergencies/natural-disasters/HurricaneSeason.html
· National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at travel.state.gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.
Visit the Embassy's websiteand sign up for Facebook and Twitter. Regularly monitor the State Department's website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, (including the Travel Warning for Mexico), Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Mexico, and refer to the “Traveler’s Checklist” on the State Department’s website. Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow the State Department onTwitter and Facebook to have travel information at your fingertips.
Consular services for Michoacan and Guerrero are provided by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, located at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, Mexico D.F., 06500. The Embassy is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm, except for U.S. and Mexican holidays. Our telephone number during and outside of business hours is 011-52-555-080-2000.
Jalisco and Colima are serviced by the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara, located at Progreso 175, Colonia Americana, Guadalajara, Jalisco C.P. 44160. The Consulate General is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, except for U.S. and Mexican holidays. Our telephone number during and outside of business hours is 011-52-333-268-2100.
For a full list of Consulates General and Consular Agencies in Mexico please visit our website at http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/edirectory.html
Posted By Yucatan Living Contributor
