Tropical Storm Paula

October 11, 2010

To: All American Citizens
From: American Citizens Services Unit, Consular Section

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Honduras that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) http://www.nhc.noaa.gov and the Honduran Comisión Permanente de Contingencias (COPECO) have issued alerts for a tropical storm system that will affect the areas of Limon eastward to the Honduras/Nicaragua border, including the Bay Islands.

COPECO has issued a red alert for the Bay islands, a yellow alert for Colon and surrounding areas, and a green alert for Atlántida and surrounding areas. The Bay islands are expected to be the most heavily affected. Winds are expected to be around 60 mph and rain fall moderate. Please visit their website for more information: http://www.copeco.gob.hn/c/node

The U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Paula's track, and will issue updated messages. 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 time (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 hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found on our "Hurricane Season-Know Before You Go" webpage, and on the "Natural Disasters" page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. Updated information on travel in the (country or region) 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 website http://honduras.usembassy.gov for updated information. Please consult the Country Specific Information for Honduras, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the U.S. Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section, located at on Avenida La Paz in Tegucigalpa; telephone (504) 238-5114, after hours telephone (504) 236-8497; Consular Section fax (504) 238-4357; E-mail: usahonduras@state.gov;webpage: http://honduras.usembassy.gov

For information from the Honduran Comisión Permanente de Contingencias (COPECO), including the national alerts from the Honduran government, please visit: http://www.copeco.gob.hn/c/

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Honduras are strongly encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website (https://travelregistration.state.gov), and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Honduras. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Honduras and the latest Travel Alerts and Warnings and Worldwide Caution at the State Department's website:http://travel.state.gov

Current information on safety and 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).

The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenida La Paz in Tegucigalpa; telephone (504) 238-5114, after hours telephone (504) 236-8497; Consular Section fax (504) 238-4357; E-mail: usahonduras@state.gov;webpage: http://honduras.usembassy.gov