Nicaragua Warden Message

Hurricane Felix – residual problems

September 4, 2007

The northeastern coast of Nicaragua took a direct hit by Hurricane Felix early this morning.  U.S. citizens in the northern regions of Nicaragua – particularly in the departments of the RAAN, Jinotega, Nueva Segovia and Madriz – are advised to exercise caution.  Extensive damage to houses, public facilities and airports has been reported in Puerto Cabezas and other parts of the RAAN.  Access to the region remains problematic due to flooding and fallen trees.  At 4:00 p.m., Hurricane Felix remained near the Honduras-Nicaragua border, approximately midway across the isthmus.  Authorities are predicting 6 – 12 inches of rain over the next several hours. 

The potential for water-borne diseases spreading in flood waters is great.  The U.S. National Hurricane Center advises that “very heavy rains and life-threatening flashfloods and mudslides could occur well inland and many hours or days after this morning’s landfall.”
For these reasons, the U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to the RAAN and northern border regions of Nicaragua.  If you have American colleagues or friends in the affected area that have not been accounted for or who have been reported injured, please send an email to us at consularmanagua@state.gov.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Kilometer 4 1/2 (4.5) Carretera Sur, Managua; telephone (505) 266-6010 or 268-0123; after hours telephone (505) 266-6038; Consular Section fax (505) 266-9943; E-mail: consularmanagua@state.gov
Web page: http://nicaragua.usembassy.gov/.

Non-emergency services for American citizens are available Monday through Friday, 1:00 to 3:00 PM.
U.S. Embassy Managua Consular Section
Km 4 ½ Carretera Sur, Managua
Tel: 505-268-0123
Fax: 505-266-9943
E-mail: ConsularManagua@state.gov
WEB SITE: http://nicaragua.usembassy.gov