| American citizens in the
areas of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Merida and Matamoros
are encouraged to depart the area as soon as possible. Hurricane
Dean is expected to make landfall early on Tuesday, August
21 somewhere between Cancun and Tulum in the Mexican state
of Quintana Roo. The hurricane’s current track shows that
it may pass near Merida, Yucatan and veer north toward Veracruz
or Matamoros on Wednesday, August 22. As of the afternoon
of August 19, Hurricane Dean was a category 4 hurricane with
sustained winds near 150 mph as it approached Jamaica. There
are hurricane warnings and watches throughout the region.
Hurricane Dean is expected to reach category 5 before it hits
the Yucatan peninsula. The U.S. State Department has authorized
departure for all dependents and non-essential personnel at
the U.S. Consulates in Merida and Matamoros.
U.S. citizens in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Merida
and Matamoros who do not have access to adequate and safe
shelter should depart as soon as possible while commercial
flights are still available. Flights into and out of Merida,
Cancun and Cozumel’s international airports may be suspended
at any time. Current flights are filling quickly and flight
delays may occur. Travelers should contact airlines for the
latest updates if they are planning to travel within the next
week. The storm could similarly affect access to sea ports.
Ferry service to and from Cozumel could be suspended at any
time.
The Embassy cannot make reservations on behalf of U.S. citizens.
Passengers should contact the airlines directly via the following
numbers:
- American Airlines: www.aa.com;
from U.S. 1-800-433-7300; from Mexico 01-800-904-6000
- Continental Airlines; www.continental.com;
from U.S. 1-800-523-3273; from Mexico 01-800-900-5000
- United Airlines: www.united.com;
from U.S. 1-800-864-8331; from Mexico 01-800-003-0777
- Delta Airlines: www.delta.com;
from U.S. 1-800-221-1212; from Mexico 01-800-123-4710
- U.S. Airways /America West: www.usairways.com;
from U.S. 1-800-428-4322
- Mexicana: www.mexicana.com;
from U.S. 1-800-531-79-21; from Mexico 01-800-801-20-10
- AeroMexico: www.aeromexico.com;
from U.S. 1-800-237-6639; from Mexico 01-800-021-4010
The Mexican government uses a color-coded system of alerts
proceeding from blue (minimal danger) to green (low danger)
to yellow (moderate danger) to orange (high danger) to red
(maximum danger level). To learn more about this system, visit
http://www.yucatan.gob.mx/procivy/colores/colores.htm.
The state government of Quintana Roo has issued an orange
alert, indicating high danger. Yucatan State has issued a
yellow alert, indicating that the current danger level is
moderate.
The National Hurricane Center predicts that Hurricane Dean
will move towards Jamaica, the southern coast of Cuba and
the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
Citizens should identify their local shelter, monitor local
media reports, and follow the instructions of local emergency
officials. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe hurricane
may not be available to all who may choose to stay. Visitors
should review and follow their hotel or cruise ship evacuation
plans.
U.S. citizens also should carry their travel documents at
all times (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture
ID’s, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location.
We also suggest that American citizens contact friends and
family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts.
For the most-up-to-date information on Hurricane Dean, please
visit The National Hurricane Center’s website at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.
To check the current alert level in Quintana Roo, U.S. citizens
should visit the local government’s website at http://www.qroo.gob.mx/qroo/Temporada/index.php.
Click on “Aviso de Sistema Tropical” for
information about the storm.
To check the current alert level in Yucatan State, visit
http://www.yucatan.gob.mx/procivy/index.jsp.
Further information on hurricanes and hurricane preparedness
is available on the State Department’s website. Check the
following links below:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurricane_season/hurricane_season_2915.html
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html
The U.S. Consulate in Merida and Consular Agencies in Cancun,
Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen are closed for regular business.
American citizens with questions should contact the U.S. Embassy
in Mexico City at 5080-2816, 5080-2107, or 5207-0546 (country
code 52, city code 55). The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is
open 4:00-10:00 PM Sunday, August 19, and 24 hours a day beginning
8:00AM on Monday, August 20. American citizens can also contact
the Hurricane Dean Task Force in Washington at 202-647-6611.
Please stay posted for future warden messages.
Thank you and stay safe,
U.S. Embassy Mexico City |
