| U.S. Consulate Merida is sending this
warden message to inform U.S. citizens of Hurricane Dean,
which is expected to make landfall on Monday, August 20 somewhere
between Cancun and Tulum in the Mexican state of Quintana
Roo. The hurricane’s current track shows that it may pass
near Merida, Yucatan on Tuesday, August 21.
As of the afternoon of August 17, Hurricane Dean was a category
3 hurricane with sustained winds near 130 mph as it approached
the Lesser Antilles. There are hurricane warnings and watches
throughout the region.
The state governments of Quintana Roo and Yucatan have issued
a green alert, indicating that the current danger level is
low.
The National Hurricane Center predicts that Hurricane Dean
will pass south of Puerto Rico and approach the southern regions
of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, moving towards Jamaica,
the southern coast of Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
Providing accurate storm models at this time is difficult,
and the trajectory and velocity of the storm can change at
any time.
The Consulate recommends that the U.S. citizens in Quintana
Roo, Yucatan, and Campeche prepare themselves for the possibility
of the hurricane’s landfall in your region. Citizens 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.
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.
Citizens should know that flights in and out of the area
may be suspended at any time, depending on alerts from the
Mexican government. Current 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 sea ports similarly.
For the most-up-to-date information on Hurricane Dean, please
visit The National Hurricane Center’s website at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.
The Mexican government uses a color-coded system of alerts
proceeding from blue (minimal danger) to green (low danger)
to yellow (moderate danger) to orange (high danger) to red
(maximum danger level). To learn more about this system, visit
http://www.yucatan.gob.mx/procivy/colores/colores.htm.
To check the current alert level in Quintana Roo, U.S. citizens
should visit the local government’s website at http://www.qroo.gob.mx/qroo/Temporada/index.php.
Click on “Aviso de Sistema Tropical” for information about
the storm.
To check the current alert level in Yucatan State, visit
http://www.yucatan.gob.mx/procivy/index.jsp.
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
The U.S. Consulate in Merida, Yucatan services the states
of Quintana Roo, Yucatan, and Campeche. The Consulate remains
open for business but could suspend operations at any time
as the hurricane approaches. The ability of the Consulate
to provide assistance after the hurricane may be limited by
communications disruptions and by conditions on the ground.
The Consulate can be reached during its regular business
hours (M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) by telephone at [52](999)
942-5700; by fax at [52](999) 942-5777; and by email at mercons@prodigy.net.mx.
After hours, a duty officer can be reached by calling the
Consulate’s main number.
The Consulate maintains Consular Agencies in Cancun, Cozumel,
and Playa del Carmen. Contact information for those offices
is below:
Cancun: tel: [52](998) 883-0272 / fax: [52](998) 883-1373
Cozumel: tel: [52](987) 872-4574 / fax: [52](987) 872-6662
Playa del Carmen: tel: [52](984) 873-0303 / fax: [52](984)
873-0481
[See also the directory of Consulates and Consular Agencies on this website]
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City will maintain its business
hours (M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). You can reach the Embassy
by telephone at [52](55) 5080-2000; by fax at [52] (55) 5525-5040;
and by email at ccs@usembassy.net.mx.
Please stay posted for future warden messages.
Thank you and stay safe,
U.S. Consulate Merida
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