Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07STATE116244
2007-08-19 00:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
TFGV01 SITUATION REPORT NO. 001 AS OF 1700 EST
how-toVZCZCXRO3921 OO RUEHAG RUEHAO RUEHAP RUEHAT RUEHBC RUEHBI RUEHBL RUEHBZ RUEHCD RUEHCHI RUEHCI RUEHCN RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHDT RUEHDU RUEHED RUEHEL RUEHFK RUEHFL RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHGH RUEHGI RUEHGR RUEHHA RUEHHM RUEHHO RUEHHT RUEHIHL RUEHIK RUEHJO RUEHJS RUEHKN RUEHKR RUEHKSO RUEHKUK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHMA RUEHMC RUEHMJ RUEHMR RUEHMRE RUEHNAG RUEHNG RUEHNH RUEHNL RUEHNP RUEHNZ RUEHPA RUEHPB RUEHPD RUEHPOD RUEHPT RUEHPW RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRN RUEHROV RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHTRO RUEHVC RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHC #6244/01 2310052 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 190039Z AUG 07 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON IMMEDIATE 5911 ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//USD:SOLIC// IMMEDIATE RHRVAKS/COMFIFTHFLT IMMEDIATE RHRJQJQ/COMSIXTHFLT IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/NGA HQ BETHESDA MD IMMEDIATE RXFEAE/COMARAIRMED NAPLES IT IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/COMUSNAVEUR NAPLES IT IMMEDIATE RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/CDR USJFCOM NORFOLK VA IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE:PRO/DAPE-PER-C// IMMEDIATE RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE:MO/DAMO-AOC-CAT/PCC// IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//TWC// IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J-1/J-3:JOD// IMMEDIATE RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM J3 MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 2771 RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 2659 RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 5162
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 116244
SIPDIS
SIPDIS, INFORM CONSULS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS AEMR MARR CASC GV KHLS
SUBJECT: TFGV01 SITUATION REPORT NO. 001 AS OF 1700 EST
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2007.
---------------------
HURRICANE DEAN STATUS
---------------------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 116244
SIPDIS
SIPDIS, INFORM CONSULS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS AEMR MARR CASC GV KHLS
SUBJECT: TFGV01 SITUATION REPORT NO. 001 AS OF 1700 EST
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2007.
--------------
HURRICANE DEAN STATUS
--------------
1. (U) NORAD reports the onset of tropical storm force
winds should hit Jamaica August 19 at 0400 EDT, with
hurricane force winds starting at 1200 EDT. The eye of the
storm is scheduled to make landfall at 1400 EDT, with
sustained winds upwards of 150 mph. The National Hurricane
Center predicts 5 to 10 inches of rain, with up to 20
inches in isolated areas.
2. (U) Dean is scheduled to hit Cayman August 20 at 0700
EDT with sustained winds of 160 mph.
3. (U) Dean should make landfall just south of Cancun, with
tropical storm force winds beginning at 1600 EDT on August
20, and hurricane force winds beginning at 2300 EDT. The
eye of the storm is scheduled to make landfall at 0200 on
August 21. (NORAD/Taskforce Telcon)
--------------
AMERICAN CITIZENS - JAMAICA
--------------
4. (U) Embassy Kingston reports 63 Embassy family members
left Kingston at 1100 on a special AA flight which stopped
in Montego Bay to pick up tourists (presumably including
some Americans). FLO confirms the flight departed Jamaica
for the United States at 1415.
5. (U) Remaining Embassy staff will ride out the storm in
the NEC. Kingston anticipates sheltering several hundred
Amcits, including Peace Corps Volunteers, through the
storm. Noting the storm has slowed, the Embassy may allow
employees to spend the night at home. Calls to Embassy
Kingston are being routed through Post 1.
6. (U) Two Consular Officers are in Montego Bay to assist
local Amcits. Hotels are telling guests to stand fast.
The Montego Bay airport is scheduled to close at 2000 and
the Kingston airport at 2100. All outgoing flights are
full.
7. (U) One Consular Officer is at the Cayman airport
engaging with local authorities to provide task force
contact information to the public. She will go on the
radio to provide information to Amcits, including the Miami
call center number, which will be effective Sunday at 0800.
All flights leaving Cayman are booked through Thursday.
Authorities in Cayman are permitting only residents to
return, primarily British citizens.
8. (U) Kingston and Cayman report that Amcit call volume
has been minimal (between 15 and 20 calls since 2200 Friday
evening). (Embassy Kingston/Taskforce Telcon)
--------------
AMERICAN CITIZENS - MEXICO
--------------
STATE 00116244 002 OF 002
9. (U) CG Merida reports 8,000 Amcits in Cozumel, 23,650 in
Playa del Carmen, and 22,000 in Cancun. With scheduled
departures, the total number of Amcits in these three
locations is expected to remain at upward of 44,000.
10. (U) Thirty TDYers will arrive from Mexico City and
other U.S. consulates between 1500 and 1900 today to
provide support to the three areas. (CG Merida/Taskforce
Telcon)
--------------
OFDA/LOCAL PREPAREDNESS
--------------
11. (U) There are six USAID Office of Foreign Disaster
Assistance (OFDA) team members in Kingston. OFDA provided
$25,000 to GOJ disaster authorities at the Ambassador's
request. OFDA is working with local authorities to provide
emergency equipment and radios. They were scheduled to
meet with the GOJ to discuss disaster preparations at 1530
local.
12. (U) OFDA has four staff in Mexico and other staff in
DR, Haiti, and Costa Rica. They are in close contact with
all posts and will provide support if Ambassadors choose to
use disaster authority.
13. (U) In Haiti, OFDA is working closely with civil
protection authorities and NGOs. Southern Haiti is
expected to take the brunt of the storm. Haiti's airport
will close at 1500.
14. (U) Consulate Merida staff report receiving good
support from local authorities and the business community,
including the Hotel Association, in assisting Amcits.
(USAID,OFDA/Taskforce Telcon)
--------------
CA TASKFORCE 2
--------------
15. (U) CA stood up Task Force 2 (TF2) with a small staff,
and handled approximately 25 calls Saturday, August 18.
Embassy Kingston reported a similar call volume. Most
calls received by TF 2 were from people asking about
options for departing the Cayman Islands. TF2 will expand
to 10 volunteers Sunday, August 19 and is currently
scheduled to work from 8 am to 9 pm with an overnight shift
on standby.
16. (U) The OCS call center will be open August 19 as well,
and our public information directs callers to their number.
(Taskforce/CATaskforce e-mail)
17. (U) MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.
RICE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS, INFORM CONSULS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS AEMR MARR CASC GV KHLS
SUBJECT: TFGV01 SITUATION REPORT NO. 001 AS OF 1700 EST
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2007.
--------------
HURRICANE DEAN STATUS
--------------
1. (U) NORAD reports the onset of tropical storm force
winds should hit Jamaica August 19 at 0400 EDT, with
hurricane force winds starting at 1200 EDT. The eye of the
storm is scheduled to make landfall at 1400 EDT, with
sustained winds upwards of 150 mph. The National Hurricane
Center predicts 5 to 10 inches of rain, with up to 20
inches in isolated areas.
2. (U) Dean is scheduled to hit Cayman August 20 at 0700
EDT with sustained winds of 160 mph.
3. (U) Dean should make landfall just south of Cancun, with
tropical storm force winds beginning at 1600 EDT on August
20, and hurricane force winds beginning at 2300 EDT. The
eye of the storm is scheduled to make landfall at 0200 on
August 21. (NORAD/Taskforce Telcon)
--------------
AMERICAN CITIZENS - JAMAICA
--------------
4. (U) Embassy Kingston reports 63 Embassy family members
left Kingston at 1100 on a special AA flight which stopped
in Montego Bay to pick up tourists (presumably including
some Americans). FLO confirms the flight departed Jamaica
for the United States at 1415.
5. (U) Remaining Embassy staff will ride out the storm in
the NEC. Kingston anticipates sheltering several hundred
Amcits, including Peace Corps Volunteers, through the
storm. Noting the storm has slowed, the Embassy may allow
employees to spend the night at home. Calls to Embassy
Kingston are being routed through Post 1.
6. (U) Two Consular Officers are in Montego Bay to assist
local Amcits. Hotels are telling guests to stand fast.
The Montego Bay airport is scheduled to close at 2000 and
the Kingston airport at 2100. All outgoing flights are
full.
7. (U) One Consular Officer is at the Cayman airport
engaging with local authorities to provide task force
contact information to the public. She will go on the
radio to provide information to Amcits, including the Miami
call center number, which will be effective Sunday at 0800.
All flights leaving Cayman are booked through Thursday.
Authorities in Cayman are permitting only residents to
return, primarily British citizens.
8. (U) Kingston and Cayman report that Amcit call volume
has been minimal (between 15 and 20 calls since 2200 Friday
evening). (Embassy Kingston/Taskforce Telcon)
--------------
AMERICAN CITIZENS - MEXICO
--------------
STATE 00116244 002 OF 002
9. (U) CG Merida reports 8,000 Amcits in Cozumel, 23,650 in
Playa del Carmen, and 22,000 in Cancun. With scheduled
departures, the total number of Amcits in these three
locations is expected to remain at upward of 44,000.
10. (U) Thirty TDYers will arrive from Mexico City and
other U.S. consulates between 1500 and 1900 today to
provide support to the three areas. (CG Merida/Taskforce
Telcon)
--------------
OFDA/LOCAL PREPAREDNESS
--------------
11. (U) There are six USAID Office of Foreign Disaster
Assistance (OFDA) team members in Kingston. OFDA provided
$25,000 to GOJ disaster authorities at the Ambassador's
request. OFDA is working with local authorities to provide
emergency equipment and radios. They were scheduled to
meet with the GOJ to discuss disaster preparations at 1530
local.
12. (U) OFDA has four staff in Mexico and other staff in
DR, Haiti, and Costa Rica. They are in close contact with
all posts and will provide support if Ambassadors choose to
use disaster authority.
13. (U) In Haiti, OFDA is working closely with civil
protection authorities and NGOs. Southern Haiti is
expected to take the brunt of the storm. Haiti's airport
will close at 1500.
14. (U) Consulate Merida staff report receiving good
support from local authorities and the business community,
including the Hotel Association, in assisting Amcits.
(USAID,OFDA/Taskforce Telcon)
--------------
CA TASKFORCE 2
--------------
15. (U) CA stood up Task Force 2 (TF2) with a small staff,
and handled approximately 25 calls Saturday, August 18.
Embassy Kingston reported a similar call volume. Most
calls received by TF 2 were from people asking about
options for departing the Cayman Islands. TF2 will expand
to 10 volunteers Sunday, August 19 and is currently
scheduled to work from 8 am to 9 pm with an overnight shift
on standby.
16. (U) The OCS call center will be open August 19 as well,
and our public information directs callers to their number.
(Taskforce/CATaskforce e-mail)
17. (U) MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.
RICE