TFJM01 SITUATION REPORT NO. 004 AS OF 0845EDT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 117348 SIPDIS SIPDIS INFORM CONSULS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS AEMR MARR CASC JM MX BH KHLS SUBJECT: TFJM01 SITUATION REPORT NO. 004 AS OF 0845EDT TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2007 -------------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. NORAD does not expect hurricane force winds in any of the main tourist areas of the Yucatan (Cancun, Cozumel, or Merida). As of 0700 EDT, Consulate Merida and Embassy Belmopan report no visible damage and no reports of Amcit injuries. -------------- MEXICO -------------- ¶2. Consulate Merida reported at 0700 EDT no noticeable damage and moderate winds. Cell phone service is unaffected, USG employees are unharmed. Approximately 200 Amcit tourists remain in Cozumel; roughly 9-10,000 remain in Cancun. ¶3. The state government of Quintana Roo issued a red alert, indicating maximum danger level. The Government of Mexico issued a hurricane warning for the east and west coasts of the Yucatan peninsula. ¶4. Cancun airport remained open until approximately 2300 EDT Monday. Authorities plan to reopen as soon as conditions permit on Tuesday. All passengers seeking to leave by air had the opportunity. The last flight departed with some empty seats. The governor of Quintana Roo has asked airlines not to bring additional tourists until the storm has passed. ¶5. The Cozumel airport closed at 1800 EDT Monday. (TF/Consulate Merida telcon and Embassy Mexico SitRep) -------------- BELIZE -------------- ¶6. At 0645 EDT Embassy Belmopan reported little damage in the capital. Telephones remain operative, although electricity is out in northern Belize. Radio reports housing damage and trees downed in the Corozal and Orange Walk districts. ¶7. There were no reports of flooding in Belize City despite heavy rain and winds. ¶8. Personnel at Embassy Belmopan are riding out the storm in the residential compound and plan to re-open the office as early as possible Tuesday for emergency services. Post's IVG line, cable, and email communications are expected to be down until Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. ¶9. All 68 Peace Corps volunteers are being housed in a local hotel in Belmopan. ¶10. Eleven (11) DOD long-term TDY personnel are sheltered in the Belmopan housing compound. STATE 00117348 002 OF 002 ¶11. Most tourists have evacuated but up to 1,000 resident Americans remained on the northern islands and districts. ¶12. Embassy will begin calling wardens to check on damages at approximately 1000 EDT. ¶13. The last flight out of the Belize City airport departed Monday at approximately 1700 EDT. Most Americans who wanted to leave by air were able to depart. All flights from Belize City on Tuesday have been cancelled. ¶14. All transportation to and from the islands has been suspended. ¶15. Medical services remain available inland, but have been suspended in Corozal, Belize City, and Orange Walk. (TF/Embassy Belmopan telcon) -------------- JAMAICA -------------- ¶16. OFDA reports Jamaica has requested assistance. USAID will be distributing $100,000 in aid, in addition to the $25,000 designated for hurricane preparations. Disaster assessments are ongoing. ¶17. Embassy Kingston contacted wardens, who reported no emergencies or injuries to Americans, no significant damage, and no storm surge. One warden reported the road to the Kingston airport is blocked, but heavy equipment was clearing the debris. ¶18. All youth at the Tranquility Bay Behavior Modification Camp are well. (TF/Embassy Kingston telcon) -------------- HAITI -------------- ¶19. The Government of Haiti has not requested assistance beyond existing food aid in the southern region. Embassy has not been approached for help by NGOs or private sector groups. (Embassy Port Au Prince/TF e-mail) -------------- HURRICANE DEAN STATUS -------------- ¶20. NORAD reports the storm is intense but moderate in size. As of 0725 EDT, the eye was located approximately 20-30 miles west of the Bay of Chetumal (18.8N lat/88.4W long). Coastal areas within 100 miles of landfall likely experienced storm surges of 10-20 feet. ¶21. Cancun, Cozumel, and Merida have received moderate winds with gusts up to 50 mph, but are "barely on the edge of the hurricane." ¶22. At approximately 1500 EDT, Dean should reach the Bay of Campeche slightly south of the city of Campeche, Mexico. It is expected to make landfall again between Veracruz and Tuxpan as a Category 2 or 3 level storm. (TF/NORAD telcon) ¶23. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED. RICE