WARDEN MESSAGE
 

We want to be certain that our American citizens are safe and secure following the Hurricane Stan rains throughout Guatemala. Heavy rainfall resulting from storms associated with Hurricane Stan has caused floods and landslides in many regions of Guatemala, causing serious loss of life. Most major highways had been cut off, including those leading to several tourist destinations, though we understand that access is being restored in some areas. The State Department issued a Public Announcement (10/7) to alert U.S. citizens living and traveling in Guatemala to dangerous conditions.

CONRED, Guatemala’s national disaster response agency, has issued a RED Alert for the departments along the Pacific Coast as well as the highland departments of Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, Solola, Totonicapan, and Quiche. 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 service.

The U.S. government is working closely with CONRED to assist with the disaster relief efforts, and all of our available civilian and military resources are being directed to the highest priorities, as determined by CONRED.

No U.S. citizens have been reported killed or seriously injured as a result of the storms, but we want to check on the well-being of all American citizens in Guatemala, specifically:

1. Please let your warden know how you and your family are doing; and
2. 2) If you or any other American citizens are facing serious problems, please tell your warden and the American Citizen Services Unit [e-mail: amcitsguatemala@state.gov, and phone numbers: 2326-4000 (business hours) and 2331-2354 (after-hours)] about the situation and how to best contact the people in serious need. We will work with local authorities and relief organizations to assist.

If you are from Guatemala City or other areas not directly affected by the storms, you do not need to respond to this message.

Visitors and residents currently in a secure location should remain in place until they can confirm via the news media or with local authorities that roads are open and safe. We hope that all of you are safe following the devastating effects of Hurricane Stan storms.

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.