August 8, 2012

This message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) states that Hurricane Ernesto, though presently weakening over the Yucatan peninsula, could strengthen over the Gulf of Mexico (Bay of Campeche) and make landfall in Veracruz on Thursday with hurricane force winds.  The NHC has issued a hurricane warning for the coast of Mexico from Barra de Nautlato to Coatzacoalos in the state of Veracruz, with tropical storm warning for other parts of Mexico’s Gulf Coast.  In addition to danger from wind, flash floods and mudslides are possible. Coastal areas are especially vulnerable to these hazards. Please visit the National Hurricane Center’s website http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ to follow the storm’s path.

The U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor Hurricane Ernesto and will issue updated messages as necessary. U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all times (i.e. U.S. passport, birth certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in safe, waterproof locations. We also suggest that U.S. citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts.

Additional information on this year’s hurricane season can be found at “Travel Alert – Hurricane Season” at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5727.html.    Information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found on our “Hurricane Season-Know Before You Go” at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_2915.html, and on the “Natural Disasters” page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html.  

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).

Please continue to monitor the Embassy’s website (http://mexico.usembassy.gov) for updated information.  Please consult the Country Specific Information for Mexico at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html..    

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the U.S. Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy or the nearest U.S. Consular Agency.  The Embassy is located at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuautehmoc, Mexico City; telephone from within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000 and from the U.S. 011-52-55-5080-2000; after hours emergency telephone  from Mexico 01-55-5080-2000 extension 0 and from the U.S. 011-52-55-5080-2000 extension 0 and; ACS unit e-mail is acsmexicocity@state.gov; and web page is http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/citizen_services.html. 

Consular Agencies within the Embassy’s consular district:

Acapulco: Hotel Emporio, Costera Miguel Aleman 121 – Suite 14; telephone (011)(52)(744) 481-0100 or (011)(52)(744) 484-0300.

Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo: Hotel Fontan, Blvd. Ixtapa; telephone (011)(52)(755) 553-2100.

Oaxaca: Macedonio Alcala No. 407, Interior 20; telephone (011)(52)(951)514-3054 or (011)(52)(951) 516-2853.

San Miguel de Allende: Centro Comercial La Luciernaga, Libramiento Manuel Zavala (Pepe KBZON), telephone (011)(52)(415) 152-2357.

U.S. citizens in other areas of Mexico should seek the assistance of the U.S. Consulates or Consular agencies located throughout the country. A directory of Consulates and Consular Agencies can be found on the Embassy website http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.