Nicaragua Warden Message

SUBJECT: PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: HURRICANE FELIX

September 3, 2007

The Department of State has released the following public announcement today:

1.  This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the approach of Hurricane Felix toward the Atlantic coast of Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula.  The Department of State urges American citizens to consider the risk of traveling to areas affected by the hurricane.  This Public Announcement expires on September 15, 2007.

2.  The National Hurricane Center has stated that Hurricane Felix, a dangerous category five storm with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, is on a northwest trajectory toward the Atlantic coast of Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula. Felix is expected to make landfall on the northern Honduran coast on September 4 and then again in Belize on September 5.  The storm also threatens the coastal areas of Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico.  

3.  The Prime Minister of Belize announced on September 2 that the country was in Phase One of the National Emergency Preparedness Plan.  People living in coastal or low-lying areas are advised to move to higher ground away from possible flooding.  Listen to the radio for additional bulletins.  Consult with local National Emergency Management Organization officials for evacuation instructions and shelter locations in your area.  The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens in all areas that may be affected by Felix prepare themselves for the hurricane’s landfall. 

4.  Americans throughout Belize and in coastal areas of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and the Yucatan Peninsula should identify their local shelter, monitor local media reports, and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.  In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe hurricane may not be available to all who may choose to stay.  Visitors should review and follow their hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans.  Regardless of the track of the hurricane, heavy rains are expected and the possibility of flooding and or landslides is high.

5.  U.S. citizens also should carry their travel documents at all times (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location.  We also suggest that American citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts.

6.  Flights in and out of the region affected by Hurricane Felix may be suspended at any time, depending on government alerts.  Scheduled flights may fill quickly and flight delays may occur.  Travelers should contact airlines for the latest updates if they are planning to travel within the next week.  The storm also could affect access to seaports similarly.

7.  For regularly updated information on Hurricane Felix, please see the National Hurricane Center’s website at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.

8.  For further information and updates on local preparations for Hurricane Felix, please contact the following embassies or consulates:

The U.S. Embassy in Belmopan is located at Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo.  The telephone number is 011-501 822-4011, extension 4219.  For after-hour emergencies ONLY, U.S. citizens may call 011-501-610-5096.

The U.S. Embassy in Managua is currently located at Km 4 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua. The phone number is 011-505-266-6010, fax: 505-266-9943, website: http://nicaragua.usembassy.gov.  The U.S. Embassy in Managua can be reached 24/7 at 011-505-266-6010.  In emergency events after hours, U.S. citizens can call this phone number and ask for the Duty Officer on call. The Consular Section can be reached directly at 011-505-268-0123 or afterhours at 011-505-882-3140.
The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa is located at Avenida La Paz.  The phone number is 011-504-236-9320 or 504-238-5114, website: http://honduras.usembassy.gov. The American Citizens Services Unit fax number is 011-504-238-4357.  The U.S. Consular Agency in San Pedro Sula is located at Banco Atlantida Building, 11th floor, San Pedro Sula, Honduras.  The phone number is 011-504-558-1580.

The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala is located at Avenida Reforma 7-01, Zone 10, Guatemala City.  Please contact the American Citizen Services section by phone at 011-502-2326-4405, by fax at 502-2326-4655, or by sending an email to amcitsguatemala@state.gov.  The after-hours emergency number is 011-502-2331-2354 or 502-2331-8904.
The U.S. Consulate in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico services the states of Quintana Roo, Yucatan, and Campeche. The Consulate is located at Calle 60, No. 338-K, Merida. The Consulate can be reached during its regular business hours (M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) by telephone at 011-52-999-942-5700; by fax at 52-999-942-5777; and by email at meridacons@state.gov. After hours, a duty officer can be reached by calling the Consulate’s main number.

The Consulate also maintains Consular Agencies in Cancun, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen. Contact information for those offices is below:
Cancun: tel: 011-52-998-883-0272 / fax: [52](998) 883-1373
Cozumel: tel: 011-52-987-872-4574 / fax: [52](987) 872-6662
Playa del Carmen: tel: 011-52-984-873-0303 / fax: [52](984) 873-0481.
A good source of information regarding the alert level in the State of Quintana Roo is the local government’s website at http://www.qroo.gob.mx/qroo/temporada/index.php.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc.  The telephone number is 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico is 01-55-5080-2000.  You can also reach the Embassy by fax at 52-55-5525-5040 and by email at ccs@usembassy.net.mx.
9.  Further information on hurricanes and hurricane preparedness is available on the State Department’s website.  Check the following links below:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurricane_season/hurricane_season_2915.html
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html

10. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the Department of State’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.  Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known.  While Consular Officers will do their utmost to assist Americans in a crisis, travelers should always be aware that local authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions.  

11.  In addition, U.S. citizens planning to travel to Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico or the Caribbean should consult the Department of State's country-specific Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and other information, available on the Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.  Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. and Canada and, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Kilometer 4 1/2 (4.5) Carretera Sur, Managua; telephone (505) 266-6010 or 268-0123; after hours telephone (505) 266-6038; Consular Section fax (505) 266-9943;
E-mail: consularmanagua@state.gov
Web page: http://nicaragua.usembassy.gov/.
Non-emergency services for American citizens are available Monday through Friday, 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

U.S. Embassy Managua Consular Section
Km 4 ½ Carretera Sur, Managua
Tel: 505-268-0123
Fax: 505-266-9943
E-mail: ConsularManagua@state.gov
WEB SITE: http://nicaragua.usembassy.gov 
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