Yucatan Living

Tropical Storm Matthew Warning

24 September 2010 Consulates & Int'l Alliances 1

This Warden Message is being issued to alert U.S. Citizens to Tropical Storm Matthew. The Governments of Nicaragua and Honduras have issued a Hurricane Warning from Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua to Limon Honduras, including the offshore islands. A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the coast of Belize. The state of Quintana Roo has issued a green alert and the states of Campeche and Yucatan have issued blue alerts for this system. The current graphic storm track shows the storm continuing to Belize by Sunday morning and then turning north. Please visit the National Hurricane Center’s website http://www.nhc.noaa.gov to follow the storm’s path.

In addition to wind damage, the storm is likely to produce a storm surge that will produce flooding and will be accompanied by large waves. Rain accumulations in parts of Honduras and Nicaragua are expected to be six to ten inches.

We recommend that the following precautions be taken:

· Prepare a “to go” bag that contains all important documents and keepsakes in case of evacuation.

· Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.

· Make a family emergency plan such as the one from the National Hurricane Center’s website: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/family_plan.shtml

· Visitors should be familiar with their hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans.

· Monitor the Protección Civil Website for your state as well as the National Hurricane Center’s Website.

National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
Quintana Roo: http://www.proteccioncivil.qroo.gob.mx
Yucatan: http://www.yucatan.gob.mx/procivy/boletin
Campeche: http://www.cenecam.gob.mx

During the storm:

· Stay clear of beaches as rough seas associated with storm conditions create severe hazards.

· Stay in contact with relatives and friends in the U.S. to apprise them of your whereabouts – before, during, and after the storm.

U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents (i.e. U.S. Passport, birth certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) with them at all times or secure them by placing them in a safe waterproof location.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found in the “Hurricane Season-Know Before You Go” pamphlet at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurricane_season/hurricane_season_2915.html and on the “Natural Disasters” page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html. Updated information on travel in Mexico may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Consulate in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, has responsibility for the Mexican States of Quintana Roo, Yucatan, and Campeche. The Consulate remains open for business. The Consulate can be reached during its regular business hours (M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) by telephone at 999-942-5700; by fax at 999-942-5777; and by email at consularmerida@state.gov. After hours, for emergencies involving U.S. citizens in the Mexican states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, and Campeche, call the Consulate’s main number and follow instructions to be connected to the Merida duty officer.

Full contact information follows:

CONSULATE MERIDA (Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31, Colonia Alcala Martin, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico)

Main switchboard dialing from the US: 011-52-999-942-5700

Main switchboard dialing from outside Merida but within Mexico: 01-999-942-5700

CONSULAR AGENCY CANCUN (Plaza Caracol , second level, no. 320-323, Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico)

Office dialing from the US: 011-52-998-883-0272

Office dialing from outside Cancun but within Mexico: 01-998-883-0272

CONSULAR AGENCY COZUMEL (Plaza Villa Mar en el Centro, Plaza Principal, (Parque Juárez between Melgar and 5th Avenue) 2nd floor, locales #8 and 9, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico)

Office dialing from the US: 011-52-987-872-4574

Office dialing from outside Cozumel but within Mexico: 01-987-872-4574

CONSULAR AGENCY PLAYA DEL CARMEN ("The Palapa," Calle 1 Sur, between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico)

Office dialing from the US: 011-52-984-873-0481

Office dialing from outside Playa Del Carmen but within Mexico: 01-984-873-0481