TRAVEL ALERT ? TROPICAL STORM HANNA

UNCLAS STATE 093343 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC XL SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT ? TROPICAL STORM HANNA ¶1. This Travel Alert is being issued to urge American citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to areas that may be affected by Tropical Storm Hanna in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. U.S. citizens located in areas likely to be impacted by Tropical Storm Hanna and who do not have access to adequate and safe shelter should consider departing while commercial flights are still available. This Travel Alert expires September 25, 2008. ¶2. The storm is predicted to pass close to and possibly over The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands on September 2, 2008, and may increase to a category 1 Hurricane. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports are posted at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+ shtml/145412.s html ¶3. The U.S. embassy in Nassau will be available for emergency services, but during the storm it may be forced to suspend regular operations without notice. Seating capacity on commercial flights may be extremely limited. Flights into and out of international airports may be suspended at any time. If staying in country, U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. Visitors to The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos should be familiar with their hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans, policies, and procedures. Please see the Hurricane Travel Alert dated May 30, 2008, on the Department's website at http://www.travel.state.gov and http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/ hurricane_seas on/hurricane_season_3795.html ¶4. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents (e.g., U.S. passport, birth certificate, photo ID's, etc.) with them at all times or secure them by placing them in a safe, waterproof location. Additionally, American citizens in the areas affected by the storm are reminded to stay in contact with friends and family in the United States to keep them apprised of their current whereabouts. ¶5. Americans residing or traveling in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. ¶6. Updated information on travel may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or from overseas, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information please consult the Country Specific Information available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. The U.S. Embassy in Nassau is located at 42 Queen St., Nassau (next to McDonald's restaurant on Queen Street in downtown Nassau); telephone: (242) 322-1181, after hours: (242) 328- ¶2206. You may wish to visit the Embassy's website at http://nassau.usembassy.gov or contact the Consular Section by e-mail at acsn@state.gov The U.S. Embassy in Nassau also is responsible for consular services in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCIS),a United Kingdom (British) overseas territory. ¶7. Minimize considered. RICE