U.S. Department of State Travel Alert
June 16, 2010
Atlantic Hurricane Season
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the Hurricane Season in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. The official Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June through November. This Travel Alert expires on December 11, 2010.
National Weather Service officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict a 70 percent probability of the following ranges: fourteen to twenty-three named storms, with eight to fourteen becoming hurricanes, and three to seven becoming major hurricanes. NOAA recommends that those in hurricane-prone regions begin preparations for the upcoming season now.
Pacific Typhoon Season
This Travel Alert is being issued to warn U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to East Asia and the West and Central Pacific region about the ongoing threat of typhoons originating in the West and Central Pacific region. The region covered by this alert includes countries in East Asia and the West and Central Pacific regions north of the Equator. Typhoons in this area of the Pacific may occur year round; however, historically, the most active months are June through November. U.S. citizens in the region should monitor local weather reports and take appropriate action as needed. This travel alert expires on December 1, 2010.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) predicts a 70 percent chance that activity during the 2010 Typhoon Season will be below normal in the Central Pacific basin. Each season, the West and Central Pacific region experiences 31 typhoons on average. About half of these storms have the potential to cause severe destruction. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends that those in typhoon-prone regions be prepared.
Be sure to monitor local media to stay aware of weather developments. For further information on typhoon warnings in the West and Central Pacific region, please consult the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu at http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC and the National Weather Service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center, http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/cphc, as well as Fiji’s regional meteorological center responsible for cyclone warnings in the South Pacific region at http://www.met.gov.fj.
Additional Information
In the aftermath of some previous storms, U.S. citizens traveling abroad have encountered uncomfortable and often dangerous conditions that have lasted for several days while awaiting transportation back to the United States. In the past, many U.S. citizens have been forced to delay travel due to infrastructure damage to airports and limited flight availability. Roads were also washed out or obstructed by debris, adversely affecting access to airports and land routes out of affected areas. Reports of looting and sporadic violence in the aftermath of natural disasters are not uncommon. Security personnel may not be readily available to assist at all times. In the event of a major storm, travelers should be aware that they may not be able to depart the area for 24-48 hours or longer.
In many places, storms are often accompanied by damaging high tides and flooding. If you are living close to the ocean or other bodies of water, you may be especially at risk. Landslides and mudslides are also a serious concern during heavy periods of rain. Looting and sporadic violence sometimes occur after natural disasters but media reports may be exaggerated or otherwise inaccurate. Be sure to check with local authorities for safety and security updates. Because of weather conditions or damage to infrastructure, U.S. Embassy and host country security personnel may not be able to assist you at all times.
If the damage in the aftermath of a storm requires evacuation, the State Department and our embassies and consulates overseas work to identify and recommend the safest and most efficient means of travel away from a disaster. Commercial airlines are the best source of transportation in an evacuation. The Department arranges other means of transport, including U.S. military support, only as a last resort when commercial transportation is completely unavailable. In any emergency, you should know that the Department does not provide free transportation but has the authority to provide you a loan to return to the United States if you are in financial need. If you have not done so already, you should obtain travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses during an emergency.
U.S. citizens living in or traveling to storm-prone regions overseas can prepare for storms by organizing a kit in a waterproof container that includes a supply of bottled water, non-perishable food items, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and vital documents (especially passport and other photo identification). Emergency shelters often provide only very basic resources and may have limited medical and food supplies.
U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, local media, and the National Weather Service to stay aware of area weather developments. Minor tropical storms can develop into major hurricanes and typhoons very quickly, limiting the time available for a safe evacuation. Travelers should apprise family and friends of their whereabouts and remain in close contact with their tour operators, hotel staff, and local officials for evacuation instructions in a weather emergency. Please protect your travel and identity documents against loss or damage, as the need to replace lost documentation could hamper or delay your return to the United States.
U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the Department of State's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens can receive the Embassy's most recent security and safety updates during their trip. Registration also ensures that U.S. citizens can be reached should an emergency arise either abroad or at home. While consular officers will do their utmost to assist U.S citizens in a crisis, travelers always should be aware that local authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions.
Additional information on cyclones and storm preparedness may be found on the Typhoon Season page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Hurricane Preparedness website at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_3795.html. Updated information on travel in typhoon-prone regions may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or from other areas, 1-202-501-4444. If you travel in the region, please check the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website at http://www.usembassy.gov to find out who has consular responsibilities for the territory you will be visiting. For further information please consult the Country Specific Information website at http://travel.state.gov for the country or territory in question.