IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OUR CLIENTS: U.S. Consulate General Tijuana, Mexico Emergency Message: Tropical Storm Octave October 14, 2013 The Consulate alerts U.S. citizens in Baja California Sur that Tropical Storm Octave is currently centered 175 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a tropical storm watch for Baja California Sur from Santa Fe to San Punta Abreojos on the southwest coast of the lower Baja California Peninsula. Please visit NHC’s website at nhc.noaa.gov/?epac to follow the storm’s path. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case in the next 24 hours. NHC forecasts rainfall accumulations of 3-6 inches, and possibly greater accumulations in isolated areas that could produce flash floods or mudslides, as well as maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) with higher gusts. The areas likely to be affected stretch from Punta Abreojos, San Juanico and San Carlos on the Pacific coast, across the northern Comondu region, over the mountains and to the Sea of Cortes including Santa Rosalia and Mulege and Loreto. Flooding and washouts are a threat to Highway 1 from San Ignacio to Loreto and to the spurs from Highway 1 to Punta Abreojos, San Juanico and San Carlos. Portions of Routes 53 and 22 may also be affected. Swells generated by TS Octave are expected to affect the west coast of the Baja California peninsula and will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. A storm surge is expected to produce coastal flooding near and to the east of where the center makes landfall. Near the coast the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. U.S. citizens living in or visiting coastal areas may be affected by the storm and are advised to monitor local media for updates or possible changes to the potentially violent weather conditions and to follow any instructions/warnings issued by the Mexican government. Preparations to protect life and property should be considered. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents (i.e. U.S. passport or passport card) with them at all times or secure them by placing them in a safe, waterproof location. U.S. citizens should contact relatives or friends in the United States to apprise them of their whereabouts both now and after the storm. Visitors should be familiar with their hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans and follow hotel/cruise staff instructions. U.S. citizens may also contact the local “Protección Civil” office (Mexico’s Emergency Management Agency) for updated information about the storm and preparedness measures or for information about nearby shelters. The phone numbers for Protección Civil in La Paz are (612) 124-3765 and (612) 122-9008. If you must travel during this time, please take reasonable precautions such as avoiding entering swiftly moving water. Drivers should remain vigilant for landslides. We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at Travel.State.Gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Regularly monitor the State Departments website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, (including the Travel Warning for Mexico), Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Mexico. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips. The U.S. Consulate in Tijuana is located at Paseo de Las Culturas y Camino al Aeropuerto, Mesa de Otay, Delegación Centenario, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico 22425, and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., telephone (664) 977-2000. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy/Consulate is (619) 692-2154, (Dialing from the U.S. 011-52 + phone number); E-mail: [email protected] Contact information for U.S. Consular Agency – Los Cabos is as follows: Tiendas de Palmilla, Carretera Transpeninsular Km 27.5 Local B221, San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, C.P. 23406 Telephone: (624) 143-3566 Fax: (624) 143-6750 Email: USConsulCabo@yahoo
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 01:30:20 +0000
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