Embassy of the United States of America
Bridgetown, Barbados
Warden Message
October 14, 2008
This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in British Virgin Islands, St. Martin, Anguilla, and the Netherlands Antilles that the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov and local governments in the Caribbean have issued alerts for Tropical Storm Omar, which is currently gaining speed and moving toward the islands of the Eastern Caribbean.
The National Hurricane Center reports maximum sustained winds are near 70 MPH with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Omar could become a hurricane later tonight or on Wednesday, October 15. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 90 miles. Omar may produce total rainfall amounts of 4 to 12 inches.
These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. Omar is expected to produce large swells that will affect the west- and south-facing coasts of all of the islands of the Lesser Antilles. These prolonged swells could cause beach erosion and damage to coastal structures. For additional information, see the National Hurricane website advisory at
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MI ... 1549.shtml?
The U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor the storm’s track, and will issue updated messages. U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all times (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture IDs, etc.) or secure them in safe, waterproof locations. We also suggest that American citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts.
Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found in the “Hurricane Season-Know Before You Go” pamphlet at:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_ ... _2915.html , and on the “Natural Disasters” page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/eme ... _1207.html.
Please continue to monitor the Embassy’s website for updated information,
http://bridgetown.usembassy.gov. You may also consult the website:
http://www.weathercarib.com for up-to-date weather tracking information on the storm.
For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located at Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael, Barbados; telephone (246)227-4000;; ACS unit fax (246)431-0179; e-mail
consularbridge2@state.gov; web page
http://bridgetown.usembassy.gov.
For emergencies involving American citizens in the Netherlands Antilles, please contact the U.S. Consulate General, located at J.B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad, Curaçao, telephone (599-9) 461-3066; fax (599-9) 461-6489; e-mail address:
acscuracao@state.gov.
U. S. Embassy
Bridgetown, Barbados