WARDEN MESSAGE
May 29, 2008

FIRST TROPICAL STORM OF THE 2008 EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC SEASON FORMS NEAR THE WEST COAST OF NICARAGUA

The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Tropical Storm ALMA which is currently moving north towards the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua at approximately 7 mph.  The Government of El Salvador has issued a Hurricane Watch for the Pacific Coast of El Salvador.   A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 24 hours.

On its current track, the center of Tropical Storm ALMA is expected to make landfall off the coast of Nicaragua sometime during the evening of Thursday May 29 and should arrive over El Salvador early in the morning of Friday, May 30.  The storm is expected to travel inland over Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.

Sustained winds of up to 65 mph are possible and ALMA is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches over portions of Central America.  Up to 20 inches are possible in isolated areas of high terrain.  As with any high amounts of rainfall, this could produce the
possibility of flash floods and mudslides.

The U.S. Embassy encourages all U.S. citizens in the affected areas to closely monitor radio, TV, or NOAA Radio All Hazards for bulletins of the storms progress.  Persons living or traveling in these areas should make all reasonable preparations to ensure their safety.  American citizens are advised to keep friends and family up-to-date on their welfare. They should also carry their travel documents at all times (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture ID's, etc.) or secure them in safe, waterproof locations. The Embassy will monitor the situation and post updates as needed.

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_pa_tw/hurricane_season/hurricane_
season_2915.html, and on the "Natural Disasters" page of the Bureau of
Consular Affairs' website at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html.

The following websites also provide useful information:

- National Hurricane Center

- NOAA Hurricane Preparedness

- Government of El Salvador Civil Defense (Notices)

- Government of El Salvador Weather Service


Americans living or traveling in El Salvador are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration web site https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ , and to obtain updated information on travel and security within El Salvador.

Americans without Internet access may register directly with the Embassy.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador is located at Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Urbanizacion Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, telephone 011-503-2501-2999, fax 011-503-2278-5522, e-mail: congensansal@state.gov

The Embassy's web site can be accessed at http://sansalvador.usembassy.gov/.  The Consular Section is open for U.S. citizens' services from 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. weekdays, excluding U.S. and Salvadoran holidays.  After business hours, the Embassy can be contacted by telephone at 011-503-2501-2316 or 011-503-2501-2253.