Warden Information

Hurricane Stan Related Storms Alert

American Embassy Guatemala
American Citizen Warden Program

October 6, 2005

Dear American Citizen Warden:

The following is a Warden Message issued by Embassy Guatemala concerning the storms in Guatemala associated with Hurricane Stan. Please share it with the American citizens on your warden list, and any other Americans you know, as soon as possible. Please contact the American Citizen Services section via e-mail (amcitsguatemala@state.gov), fax (502) 2332-4353, or telephone (502) 2326-4405 if you have any questions. Thank you very much for your support and assistance.

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WARDEN MESSAGE

As a result of heavy rainfall from rainstorms associated with Hurricane Stan, landslides have occurred throughout Guatemala, causing traffic delays. Areas outside Guatemala City where we know landslides have occurred are Escuintla, Panajachel, Solola, Los Encuentros, and two on the Carreterra a El Salvador. The areas along the coast (CA-2) are suffering from rising rivers that are threatening bridges. One of the landslides on Carreterra a El Salvador is located at KM 12.5 (from center of Guatemala City) approximately 300 meters before the Mayan School traveling uphill on the Carreterra. As of the morning of October 5, 2005 traffic is passing through this area but there are long delays.

Because of the potential for further flooding and landslides, Guatemala’s national disaster response agency (CONRED) has issued a Red Alert for the departments along the Pacific Coast, including Escuintla, Jutiapa, Santa Rosa, Suchitepequez, and San Marcos, and also for Quetzeltenango, Huehuetenango, Solola, Totonicapan, and el Quiche, for the next 48 hours (until 2300 hours on October 6, 2005). CONRED has been distributing potable water, food, blankets, and other basic necessities to the areas most affected. Some areas remain without electricity and/or telephone services. Some airlines are reporting flight delays and cancellations. Additionally, the Tecun Uman border crossing with Mexico has been temporarily closed due to flooding.

U.S. citizens traveling to and within Guatemala are asked to monitor local newspaper and radio announcements and weather reports for new developments, especially before attempting to drive outside of the cities. For further information on travel to Guatemala, please consult the Department of State’s latest Consular Information Sheet, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. The U.S. Embassy is located in Guatemala City at Avenida La Reforma 7-01, Zone 10, Telephone (502) 2326-4000 during business hours (8:00 AM TO 5:00 PM). The American Citizen Services Unit can be reached at (502) 2326-4405 or for after-hour emergencies at (502) 2331-2354, and the e-mail address is: AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov.

U.S. citizens should update their contact information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_registration.html or at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City.