Yucatan Living

Hurricane Paula

This Warden Message is being issued to alert U.S. Citizens to Hurricane Paula. A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula extending from Punta Gruesa to Cabo Catoche, including Cancun and Cozumel. Tropical Storm Warnings have also been issued for the north coast of the peninsula as well as the east coast from Mahahual to northern Belize. The states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo have issued a green alert for this system. The current graphic storm track shows the storm brushing the coast near Cancun sometime late Wednesday evening before turning to the east and heading back to sea. Data indicates the system could be a Category 2 storm as it approaches the coast of Quintana Roo on Wednesday. Please visit the National Hurricane Center’s website to follow the storm’s path.

In addition to wind damage, the storm is likely to produce a storm surge that will produce flooding and will be accompanied by large waves. Heavy rains of 3 to 10 inches are expected on the Yucatan Peninsula.

We recommend that the following precautions be taken:
· Prepare a “to go” bag that contains all important documents and keepsakes in case of evacuation.

· Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.

· Make a family emergency plan such as the one from the National Hurricane Center’s website.
· Visitors should be familiar with their hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans.

· Monitor the Protección Civil Website for your state as well as the National Hurricane Center’s Website.
National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
Quintana Roo: http://www.proteccioncivil.qroo.gob.mx
Yucatan: http://www.yucatan.gob.mx/procivy/boletin
Campeche: http://www.cenecam.gob.mx

· Follow all instructions from local, state and federal Mexican government entities. Be aware that airports and ferries (for example to/from Playa del Carmen and Cozumel and to/from Cancun and Isla Mujeres) may be temporarily closed.

During the storm:
· Stay clear of beaches as rough seas associated with storm conditions create severe hazards.

· Stay in contact with relatives and friends in the U.S. to apprise them of your whereabouts – before, during, and after the storm.

· U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents (i.e. U.S. Passport, birth certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) with them at all times or secure them by placing them in a safe waterproof location.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's web site where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found in the “Hurricane Season-Know Before You Go” pamphlet and on the “Natural Disasters” page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website. Updated information on travel in Mexico 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. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Consulate in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, has responsibility for the Mexican States of Quintana Roo, Yucatan, and Campeche. The Consulate remains open for business. The Consulate can be reached during its regular business hours (M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) by telephone at 999-942-5700; by fax at 999-942-5777; and by email at meridacons@state.gov. After hours, for emergencies involving U.S. citizens in the Mexican states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, and Campeche, call the Consulate’s main number and follow instructions to be connected to the Merida duty officer.

Full contact information follows:
CONSULATE MERIDA (Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31, Colonia Alcala Martin, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico)
Main switchboard dialing from the US: 011-52-999-942-5700
Main switchboard dialing from outside Merida but within Mexico: 01-999-942-5700
CONSULAR AGENCY CANCUN (Plaza Caracol , second level, no. 320-323, Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
Office dialing from the US: 011-52-998-883-0272
Office dialing from outside Cancun but within Mexico: 01-998-883-0272
CONSULAR AGENCY COZUMEL (Plaza Villa Mar en el Centro, Plaza Principal, (Parque Juárez between Melgar and 5th Avenue) 2nd floor, locales #8 and 9, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
Office dialing from the US: 011-52-987-872-4574
Office dialing from outside Cozumel but within Mexico: 01-987-872-4574
CONSULAR AGENCY PLAYA DEL CARMEN ("The Palapa," Calle 1 Sur, between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
Office dialing from the US: 011-52-984-873-0303
Office dialing from outside Playa Del Carmen but within Mexico: 01-984-873-0303