Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE58067
2008-05-30 16:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
TRAVEL ALERT - HURRICANE SEASON
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 058067
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC XL
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT - HURRICANE SEASON
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 058067
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC XL
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT - HURRICANE SEASON
1. This Travel Alert is being issued to alert U.S.
citizens to the Hurricane Season in the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. The
official Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June through
November. This Travel Alert expires November 30, 2008.
2. National Weather Service officials at the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict a 65
percent chance that activity during the 2008 Atlantic
Hurricane Season will be above normal this year,
forecasting 12 to 16 named storms, with 6 to 9 becoming
hurricanes. NOAA recommends that those in hurricane-prone
regions begin preparations at this time for the upcoming
season.
3. After some storms, U.S. citizens have encountered often
uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous, conditions that
have lasted for several days while they awaited
transportation back to the United States. Many U.S.
citizens traveling abroad in affected regions have been
forced to delay their return to the United States due to
infrastructure damage to airports and limited flight
availability. Damage to roads can limit access to airports
and land routes out of affected areas. Flights can be
suspended and passengers face long delays before normal
airport operations and flight schedules resume. There have
also been instances of looting and sporadic violence after
natural disasters. Security personnel may not be readily
available to assist at all times.
4. Should a situation require an evacuation from an
overseas location, the State Department will work with
commercial airlines to ensure the safest and most efficient
repatriation of U.S. citizens possible. Commercial
airlines are the Department's primary source of
transportation in an evacuation. Other means of transport
are used only as a last resort.
5. The Department of State will not provide no-cost
transportation, but does have the authority to provide
repatriation loans to those in financial need. U.S.
citizens should always obtain travel insurance to cover
unexpected expenses during an emergency.
6. U.S. citizens living in or traveling to storm-prone
regions overseas should prepare for hurricanes and tropical
storms by organizing a kit containing a supply of bottled
water, non-perishable food items, a battery-powered or hand
crank radio, and vital documents (especially passport and
identification) in a waterproof container. Emergency
shelters often have access only to basic resources and
limited medical and food supplies.
7. U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, the National
Weather Service at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov, and local media
to stay aware of any weather developments in their area.
Minor tropical storms can develop into hurricanes very
quickly, limiting the time available for a safe
evacuation. Travelers should apprise family and friends in
the U.S. of their whereabouts, and keep in close contact
with their tour operator, hotel staff, and local officials
for evacuation instructions in the event of a weather
emergency. Travelers should also protect their travel and
identity documents against loss or damage, as the need to
replace lost documentation could hamper or delay return to
the United States.
8. 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. By registering,
STATE 00058067 002 OF 002
American citizens can receive the Embassy's most recent
security and safety updates during their trip.
Registration also ensures that U.S. citizens can be reached
should an emergency arise either abroad or at home. 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.
9. Additional information on hurricanes and storm
preparedness may be found on the Hurricane Season 2008 page
of the Bureau of Consular Affairs' website at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurr icane_season/h
urricane_season_3795.html or in the "Hurricane Season-Know
Before You Go" pamphlet at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurr icane_season/h
urricane_season_2915.html. Updated information on travel
in hurricane-prone regions 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.
Travelers to the region are encouraged to check the
Internet site of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with
consular responsibilities for the territory they will be
visiting (accessible via http://usembassy.state.gov/). For
further information please consult the Country Specific
Information Sheet for the country or territory in question,
available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.
10. Minimize considered.
RICE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC XL
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT - HURRICANE SEASON
1. This Travel Alert is being issued to alert U.S.
citizens to the Hurricane Season in the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. The
official Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June through
November. This Travel Alert expires November 30, 2008.
2. National Weather Service officials at the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict a 65
percent chance that activity during the 2008 Atlantic
Hurricane Season will be above normal this year,
forecasting 12 to 16 named storms, with 6 to 9 becoming
hurricanes. NOAA recommends that those in hurricane-prone
regions begin preparations at this time for the upcoming
season.
3. After some storms, U.S. citizens have encountered often
uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous, conditions that
have lasted for several days while they awaited
transportation back to the United States. Many U.S.
citizens traveling abroad in affected regions have been
forced to delay their return to the United States due to
infrastructure damage to airports and limited flight
availability. Damage to roads can limit access to airports
and land routes out of affected areas. Flights can be
suspended and passengers face long delays before normal
airport operations and flight schedules resume. There have
also been instances of looting and sporadic violence after
natural disasters. Security personnel may not be readily
available to assist at all times.
4. Should a situation require an evacuation from an
overseas location, the State Department will work with
commercial airlines to ensure the safest and most efficient
repatriation of U.S. citizens possible. Commercial
airlines are the Department's primary source of
transportation in an evacuation. Other means of transport
are used only as a last resort.
5. The Department of State will not provide no-cost
transportation, but does have the authority to provide
repatriation loans to those in financial need. U.S.
citizens should always obtain travel insurance to cover
unexpected expenses during an emergency.
6. U.S. citizens living in or traveling to storm-prone
regions overseas should prepare for hurricanes and tropical
storms by organizing a kit containing a supply of bottled
water, non-perishable food items, a battery-powered or hand
crank radio, and vital documents (especially passport and
identification) in a waterproof container. Emergency
shelters often have access only to basic resources and
limited medical and food supplies.
7. U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, the National
Weather Service at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov, and local media
to stay aware of any weather developments in their area.
Minor tropical storms can develop into hurricanes very
quickly, limiting the time available for a safe
evacuation. Travelers should apprise family and friends in
the U.S. of their whereabouts, and keep in close contact
with their tour operator, hotel staff, and local officials
for evacuation instructions in the event of a weather
emergency. Travelers should also protect their travel and
identity documents against loss or damage, as the need to
replace lost documentation could hamper or delay return to
the United States.
8. 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. By registering,
STATE 00058067 002 OF 002
American citizens can receive the Embassy's most recent
security and safety updates during their trip.
Registration also ensures that U.S. citizens can be reached
should an emergency arise either abroad or at home. 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.
9. Additional information on hurricanes and storm
preparedness may be found on the Hurricane Season 2008 page
of the Bureau of Consular Affairs' website at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurr icane_season/h
urricane_season_3795.html or in the "Hurricane Season-Know
Before You Go" pamphlet at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurr icane_season/h
urricane_season_2915.html. Updated information on travel
in hurricane-prone regions 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.
Travelers to the region are encouraged to check the
Internet site of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with
consular responsibilities for the territory they will be
visiting (accessible via http://usembassy.state.gov/). For
further information please consult the Country Specific
Information Sheet for the country or territory in question,
available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.
10. Minimize considered.
RICE