warden message

Tropical Storm Ida

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Nicaragua that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and INETER (Instituto Nicaraguense de Estudios Territoriales) have issued alerts for Tropical Storm Ida, which is currently located off the coast of Nicaragua east of Bluefields and is accompanied by strong winds.  The storm is expected to make landfall overnight between Bluefields and Bilwi (Puerto Cabezas) on the Atlantic Coast.

According to INETER, Tropical Storm Ida is expected to produce rain and moderate thunderstorms over the east coast of Nicaragua which will gradually extend toward the North and Central Regions in the next 12-24 hours. INETER has recommended that people in the Atlantic Regions and Los Cayos Miskitos take necessary precautions in case of strong winds and flooding.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a yellow alert for Nicaragua, citing a 20% probability of Ida strengthening to a Category 1 hurricane in about 21 hours. Please refer to http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+shtml/205614.shtml?3-daynl#contents for up-to-date information on Tropical Storm Ida.

The U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Ida’s track, and will issue updated messages.  U.S. citizens are urged to identify secure locations to 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 ID’s, 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_pa_tw/hurricane_season/hurricane_season_2915, and on the “Natural Disasters” page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html.  Updated information on travel in the Caribbean may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Please continue to monitor the Embassy’s website for updated information, (http://nicaragua.usembassy.gov). For further information please consult the Country Specific Information Sheet for Nicaragua, available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.   

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located at located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua.  The U.S. Embassy in Managua can be reached 24/7 at 011-505-2-252-7100.  For emergencies (deaths, arrests, etc.) after hours, U.S. citizens can call this phone number and ask for the Embassy Duty Officer.  The ACS unit is also available by email at ACS.Managua@state.gov.

General information regarding consular services is available by calling 011-505-2-252-7888.  Non-emergency services for U.S. citizens are available Monday through Friday, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, except on Nicaraguan and U.S. holidays.