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Travel Advice: Hurricane Alex Reaches Gulf of Mexico

Last Updated: 1 July 2010


Summary:


Thousands had to flee from the coastal fishing villages of north-eastern Mexico on Wednesday night after Hurricane Alex struck. As the hurricane continues to move in a westerly direction, it is expected to hit southern Texas - though there is hope that it will weaken to a tropical storm before then.

Advice For Tourists

  • Get to a storm shelter immediately and remain there until the storm is over
  • Delay visiting the affected areas until official weather/ news channels have confirmed that the hurricane has blown over
  • Stay aware - watch or listen to the local news for hurricane alerts

Areas Affected


Mexico

The category 2 hurricane touched down at Soto La Marina in Tamaulipas, Mexico at 22.00. Fortunately, the coastline is mostly unpopulated. In a proactive move, thousands of people - mostly Mexicans living in the fishing villages along the Gulf Coast - were evacuated from the low-lying areas on buses and in pick-up trucks. They have moved inland to San Fernando, seeking refuge in storm shelters.

The official report, provided by San Fernando's Civil Protection and Fire Department, stated that no immediate injuries were apparent, and that the 5,000 residents of seven fishing villages had been evacuated after trees started blowing over and tin roofs were ripped off homes.

Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas, was not so lucky. Heavy rains flooded caused floods, and small boats are being used to evacuate residents from Matamoros' 30 neighbourhoods. One death has been reported to date.

Texas

While Hurricane Alex does not pose a serious threat to most of Texas, it has caused two tornadoes in Brownsville, forcing 100 families to take shelter at a local high school. The low-altitude Cameron and Hidalgo counties of Texas were largely missed by the hurricane, although some residents had to escape to storm shelters. 1,000 homes were left without electricity, and the causeway to South Padre Island has been closed on account of 9-foot waves crashing on its beaches.

When Is It Expected To Blow Over?

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center expects the storm to dissipate over Mexico by Friday. At the moment, the storm is 110 miles south of Brownsville. It is moving west at +/- 10 mph. The National Weather Service as downgraded its warning level for the Texan coast from hurricane to tropical storm.

Oil Spill Information


Although oil recovery efforts continue, 6-foot waves have left Alabama, Louisiana and Florida beaches blemished with tar balls and oil. Oil platforms and rigs in the storm's telegraphed path have been evacuated in line with President Obama's pre-emptive federal disaster declaration.


Last Updated: 30 June 2010

Summary:


The president of the United States, Barack Obama, gave the thumbs-up for disaster relief efforts to commence in Texas yesterday; this is because of the forecast that tropical storm Alex is set to hit the Texan coastline later today. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised anyone in the area to keep a close watch on weather reports until the danger has passed.

Affected Areas

The storm will hit the border between Texas and Mexico today, though it has already reached Louisiana and a portion of central America. A hurricane warning has been issued for the stretch of coast south of Baffin Bay, all the way to the mouth of the Rio Grande. The area south of La Cruz to Cabo Rojo has also been classified as dangerous due to harsh weather.

Hurricane Alex is expected to reach the Mexico/ Texas border later today. The storm has already hit Louisiana and parts of central America.

How Was The Area Affected?

1,400 people in Belize were evacuated from the San Pedro resort and taken to storm shelters.

According to the National Disaster-Response Agency, two men were killed in Guatemala by a landslide.

Fortunately, some parts of the Mexican coast remain untouched: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

Predictions say that the storm is likely to cover southern Texas and north-eastern Mexico with 15-30 centimetres of rain, and isolated maximum amounts of up to 51 centimetres. Mud slides and flash floods are included in the forecast.

Precautions Tourists Should Take:

Listen to local advice and leave the area if needs be. The Hurricane Preparation Centre has advised residents to stock up on enough food and drinking water to last a week, just in case.

FCO Travel Advice:

  • Keep in touch with your tour operator.
  • Get hold of the British Embassy in Mexico City on (52) (55) 1670 3200 (don't add the (55) area code if you're in Mexico City).
  • Ensure that your airports and hotels are still operational.
  • Keep abreast of local news by vigilantly checking radio, TV, and the press.
  • Refer to this FCO Mexico Travel Advice link for further information