Week of April 23rd

Message for U.S. Citizens - Update on Popo Activity and Emergency Preparedness

According to the Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED), the alert level for Popocatepetl Volcano is yellow. Lava inside the volcano has increased which could potentially result in magma expulsion, explosions of larger intensity, ash rain, and pyroclastic flows.  CENAPRED officials said the alert could remain for weeks or months until the volcano's activity diminished.  The volcano lies around 70km (40 miles) from Mexico City.  Please review the CENAPRED website at http://www.cenapred.gob.mx/es/ for updates.

Per the CENAPRED announcement, tourism activity is prohibited within a 12 kilometer radius from the volcano.  If you travel to the area around Popocatepetl, you should familiarize yourself with evacuation plans, monitor news outlets, use good judgment, and take all appropriate safety measures as volcanic conditions can change rapidly.

Please monitor local, national and international news media (print, radio, and television) for updates and to take appropriate measures to ensure their personal safety and well-being during the heightened alert. 

The State Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have very helpful guides for disaster preparedness available to you on-line at: www.travel.state.gov and at http://www.fema.gov/plan.  The National Geographic website also has useful information on preparedness for volcano activity at 

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/volcano-safety-tips/.  We urge everyone to review the disaster preparedness materials available on-line to be better informed and better prepared for potential emergencies arising from the increased volcanic activity.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000.  You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/. 

Area consular agencies include:

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/.