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DE RUEHC #8067/01 1511640
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O 301631Z MAY 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHFSI/DIR FSINFATC
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA 6722
RUCPDOC/ALL USDOC DISTDIR COLLECTIVE WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/CDRAMC FT BELVOIR VA//AMCMI-SS//
RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//XOXXI//
RHMCSUU/HQ AFOSI DOQ ANDREWS AFB MD//IVOA//
RHMCSUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC//ACI-400//
RHMCSUU/COMNAVAIRSYSCOM PATUXENT RIVER MD//AIR1031B//
RHMFIUU/NRC WASHINGTON DC//INFOSEC//
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2-JIT//
RUCPCIM/CIM NTDB WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/COGARD INTELCOORDCEN WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 0758
INFO RUESBKC/ATO ASIA IMMEDIATE 1669

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 058067 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC XL
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT - HURRICANE SEASON 
 
¶1.  This Travel Alert is being issued to alert 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 November 30, 2008. 
 
¶2.  National Weather Service officials at the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict a 65 
percent chance that activity during the 2008 Atlantic 
Hurricane Season will be above normal this year, 
forecasting 12 to 16 named storms, with 6 to 9 becoming 
hurricanes.  NOAA recommends that those in hurricane-prone 
regions begin preparations at this time for the upcoming 
season. 
 
¶3.  After some storms, U.S. citizens have encountered often 
uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous, conditions that 
have lasted for several days while they awaited 
transportation back to the United States.  Many U.S. 
citizens traveling abroad in affected regions have been 
forced to delay their return to the United States due to 
infrastructure damage to airports and limited flight 
availability.  Damage to roads can limit access to airports 
and land routes out of affected areas.  Flights can be 
suspended and passengers face long delays before normal 
airport operations and flight schedules resume. There have 
also been instances of looting and sporadic violence after 
natural disasters.  Security personnel may not be readily 
available to assist at all times. 
 
¶4.  Should a situation require an evacuation from an 
overseas location, the State Department will work with 
commercial airlines to ensure the safest and most efficient 
repatriation of U.S. citizens possible.  Commercial 
airlines are the Department's primary source of 
transportation in an evacuation.  Other means of transport 
are used only as a last resort. 
 
¶5. The Department of State will not provide no-cost 
transportation, but does have the authority to provide 
repatriation loans to those in financial need.  U.S. 
citizens should always obtain travel insurance to cover 
unexpected expenses during an emergency. 
 
¶6.  U.S. citizens living in or traveling to storm-prone 
regions overseas should prepare for hurricanes and tropical 
storms by organizing a kit containing a supply of bottled 
water, non-perishable food items, a battery-powered or hand 
crank radio, and vital documents (especially passport and 
identification) in a waterproof container.  Emergency 
shelters often have access only to basic resources and 
limited medical and food supplies. 
 
¶7.  U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, the National 
Weather Service at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov, and local media 
to stay aware of any weather developments in their area. 
Minor tropical storms can develop into hurricanes very 
quickly, limiting the time available for a safe 
evacuation.  Travelers should apprise family and friends in 
the U.S. of their whereabouts, and keep in close contact 
with their tour operator, hotel staff, and local officials 
for evacuation instructions in the event of a weather 
emergency. Travelers should also protect their travel and 
identity documents against loss or damage, as the need to 
replace lost documentation could hamper or delay return to 
the United States. 
 
¶8.  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, 
 
STATE 00058067  002 OF 002 
 
 
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 Americans 
in a crisis, travelers should always be aware that local 
authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of 
people living or traveling in their jurisdictions. 
 
¶9.  Additional information on hurricanes and storm 
preparedness may be found on the Hurricane Season 2008 page 
of the Bureau of Consular Affairs' website at: 
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurr icane_season/h 
urricane_season_3795.html or in the "Hurricane Season-Know 
Before You Go" pamphlet at: 
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurr icane_season/h 
urricane_season_2915.html.  Updated information on travel 
in hurricane-prone regions 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. 
Travelers to the region are encouraged to check the 
Internet site of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with 
consular responsibilities for the territory they will be 
visiting (accessible via http://usembassy.state.gov/).  For 
further information please consult the Country Specific 
Information Sheet for the country or territory in question, 
available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. 
 
¶10.  Minimize considered. 
RICE