Typhoon Warning September 23, 2008

This just came from the American Citizen Services in Guangzhou. While it's specifically targeted at U.S. citizens, much of the information is useful for citizens of other countries as well:

September 23, 2008

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing or traveling in south China that Typhoon Hagupit (in Chinese 黑格比 or Hei Ge Bi) may make landfall in Guangdong Province in the next 12 to18 hours.  The Hong Kong Observatory and the Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau have both issued a signal 3 strong wind alert for Typhoon Hagupit as it is about 180 miles (290 km) southeast of Hong Kong and is moving west at about 18 miles an hour.  The typhoon is expected to make landfall early Wednesday morning on the southwestern coast of Guangdong province and possibly Hainan Island.

The Hong Kong Observatory advises to take safety precautions in anticipation of strong winds and torrential rains.   For further details in English see the Hong Kong Observatory Tropical Cyclone Warning webpage   (http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/currwx/tc_pos.htm) and/or the Macau Tropical Cyclone Warning web page (http://www.smg.gov.mo/cvm/typhoon/fe typhoonmain.htm)

 

Please monitor Typhoon Hagupit’s track by listening to the radio, watching local television or monitoring the Hong Kong Observatory or Macau Bureau websites.  If you receive Hong Kong television, both TVB Pearl and ATV World will broadcast updates in English.

 

U.S. citizens in areas expected to be affected by Typhoon Hagupit are urged to remain alert to the possibility of strong winds and flooding and should follow all official instructions.  U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all times (i.e., U.S. Passports, or Chinese Residence Permits.).  Be sure to secure them in waterproof covers.  We also suggest that American citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts.

 

Additional information on typhoon 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_..., and on the “Natural Disasters” page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html  Updated information on travel in the South China region 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).

 

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) unit of the  Consular Section located at 5th Floor, Tianyu Garden (II phase), 136-146 Lin He Zhong Lu, Tianhe District,  Telephone: (86-20) 8518-7605; ACS e-mail:GuangzhouACS@state.gov.  Guangzhou adoptions e-mail: GuangzhouA@state.gov  Web sites:  http://guangzhou.state.gov/  or   http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn

And if you ARE a U.S. citizen, here's a reminder to register with the consulate so you can receive updates like this.