Friday, November 6, 2009

U.S. Consulate's Report on Ida

The following is the email I received from the U.S. consulate regarding Ida:

This Warden Message is being issued to inform U.S. citizens that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued alerts for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ida that is currently located inland of east-central Nicaragua. The U.S. National Weather Service predicts that Ida will follow a northern track towards Quintana Roo. Under the current prediction, Ida will cross over Nicaragua and the Caribbean Sea and make landfall again early Sunday morning as a tropical storm and continue up the coast slowly towards Cozumel and Cancun. Please visit the National Hurricane Center’s website http://www.nhc.noaa.gov to follow the storm’s path.

In addition to danger from wind, life threatening flash floods and mudslides are possible. Coastal areas are especially vulnerable to these hazards. U.S. citizens in coastal areas may be impacted by the storm and are strongly encouraged to monitor media reports, and the Mexican Government’s Proteccion Civil website, http://www.proteccioncivil.gob.mx for updated information about the storm and to follow official instructions. U.S. citizens are urged to stay clear of beaches as rough seas associated with storm conditions create severe hazards. U.S. citizens should stay in contact with relatives and friends in the U.S. to apprise them of their whereabouts, both before and after the storm. Visitors should be familiar with their hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. If you must travel during this time please follow normal heavy rain precautions.

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).

Please continue to monitor the Consulate’s website for updated information, http://merida.usconsulate.gov/. For further information please consult the Country Specific Information Sheet for Mexico, available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Mexico are encouraged to register with the Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, to obtain updated travel and security information. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the Consulate. Registration is important; it allows the Consulate and the State Department to assist you in an emergency.

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: 011-52-984-873-0303

Office dialing from outside Playa Del Carmen but within Mexico: 01-984-873-0303


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