URGENT WARDEN MESSAGE

[meroberts]

March 11, 2011

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing on the Pacific coast of Mexico of a tsunami wave which is anticipated to hit the coast of Mexico at the times listed below on March 11, 2011. A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific Ocean near Northeastern Japan at around 2:46 pm JST on March 11, causing damage with blackouts, fire and tsunami. The large earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for countries all around the Pacific Ocean. Mexican authorities are warning the entire coast of Mexico of this threat. U.S. citizens in Mexico should monitor local news broadcasts and the Mexican office of Civil Protection?s website at www.proteccioncivil.gob.mx. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ?sea level readings confirm that a tsunami has been generated which could cause widespread damage?A tsunami is a series of waves and the first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and can vary significantly along a coast due to local effects. The time from one tsunami wave to the next can be five minutes to an hour, and the threat can continue for many hours as multiple waves arrive. When no major waves are observed for two hours after the estimated time of arrival or damaging waves have not occurred for at least two hours then local authorities can assume the threat is passed. Danger to boats and coastal structures can continue for several hours due to rapid currents. As local conditions can cause a wide variation in tsunami wave action, the all clear determination must be made by local authorities.? Mexico?s entire Pacific Coast may be impacted by this tsunami, which is expected to arrive in Baja California in the morning and move progressively southward through much of the rest of the day. NOAA anticipates that the waves will arrive at the following Mexican local times: Ensenada, Baja California 0850Cabo San Lucas, Baja California 1015Mazatlan, Sinaloa 1204 Manzanillo, Colima 1330Acapulco, Guerrero 1405Puerto Madero, Chiapas 1540 For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found. Up to date information on 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). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov. In case of an emergency, please contact the U.S. Embassy or the closest U.S. Consulate or Consular Agency. The numbers provided below for the Embassy and its Consular Agencies are available around the clock. 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/. Consular Agencies: Acapulco: Hotel Emporio, Costera Miguel Aleman 121 - Suite 14, telephone (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, (011) (52)(951) 516-2853.San Miguel de Allende: Dr. Hernandez Macias #72, telephone (011)(52)(415) 152-2357 or (011)(52)(415) 152-0068.