TRAVEL ALERT - HURRICANE JIMENA

UNCLAS STATE 090798

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC XL
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT - HURRICANE JIMENA


1. The Department of State urges American citizens to
consider carefully the risks of travel to areas in Mexico
that may be affected by Hurricane Jimena. U.S. citizens
located in areas likely to be impacted by Hurricane
Jimena 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 6, 2009.


2. Hurricane Jimena is predicted to pass over the Baja
Peninsula, striking land near Cabo San Lucas on September
1, 2009. The National Hurricane Center predicts that
Hurricane Jimena will reach land at Category 4 strength,
with sustained winds exceeding 130 MPH. Heavy rains,
strong winds and large battering waves can be expected in
the path of the storm. The National Hurricane Center
predicts that storm affected areas may received 5-10
inches of rain, more in higher elevations, causing flash
flooding and impassable roads in many areas. The
hurricane is expected to travel in a northerly direction,
weakening slightly as it moves north. While outside of
the predicted direct path of the hurricane, Hermosillo
and resort towns on Mexico's Western coast as far south
as Mazatlan can expect to receive heavy rain and winds
and a strong storm surge.


3. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports are posted
at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_ep3.shtml?5-
daynl#contents.


4. 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 Baja Peninsula should be
familiar with their hotel evacuation plans, policies, and
procedures. Please see the Hurricane Travel Alert dated
May 29, 2009, on the Department's website at
www.travel.state.gov and
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/p a_3245.html.


5. 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.


6. Americans residing or traveling in Mexico are
encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the
State Department's travel registration website,
https://travelregistration.state.gov.


7. 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. Consulate in Tijuana
is located at Tapachula 96, telephone (52)(664) 622-7400,
http://tijuana.usconsulate.gov/service.html. The U.S.
Consulate in Hermosillo is located at Avenida Monterrey
141, telephone (52)(662) 289-3500.
http://hermosillo.usconsulate.gov/. Consular Agencies
are located in Cabo St Lucas, at Blvd. Marina local c-4,
Plaza Nautica, col. Centro, telephone (52)(624) 143-3566,
and in Mazatlan at: Playa Gaviotas #202, Zona Dorada,
telephone (52)(669) 916-5889.


8. Minimize considered.
CLINTON