American Citizens Services

Strong Monsoon Warning

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Hong Kong and Macau that, as of 3:54 p.m. on March 13, 2009, the Hong Kong Observatory issued a strong monsoon warning. The Strong Monsoon Signal is issued when winds associated with the summer or winter monsoon are blowing in excess of or are expected to exceed 40 kilometers (25 miles) per hour near sea level anywhere in Hong Kong. Winter monsoon normally blows from the north or from the east while summer monsoon typically blows from the southwest. In very exposed places, monsoon winds may exceed 70 kilometers (44 miles) per hour.

1. If you are not well sheltered from the north, you are advised to take precautions against strong gusty winds. Flower pots and other objects likely to be blown away should be taken indoors.

2. Those planning for water sports activities and operations at sea should take special care against high winds and rough sea conditions.

Please monitor current conditions by listening to the radio, watching television or monitoring the Hong Kong Observatory website or the Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) website.

In Hong Kong, information on signals can also be obtained from the Public Enquiry Services Centre of the Hong Kong Home Affairs Department, Tel. 2835-1473. The Hong Kong Observatory also operates an automatic telephone answering service "Dial-a-weather" (Tel. 1878200) to provide similar information. Hong Kong visitors and residents can have weather alerts sent to their computers or PDAs by subscribing to the Hong Kong Observatory WAP, RSS or Weather Wizard service. Visit http://www.weather.gov.hk for more details.

In Macau, weather information can be obtained by calling 1311 and pressing 4 for English. Macau visitors and residents can request weather alerts be sent by e-mail or SMS. See the Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) at http://www.smg.gov.mo/e_index.php and follow the link to "services" for more details.

U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter 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 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_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 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 U.S. Consulate General's Consular Section located at 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong: 24-hour telephone number (852) 2523-9011, direct lines to American Citizen Services are (852) 2841-2211, 2841-2323, 2841-2225; fax (852) 2845-4845; email acshk@state.gov; web page http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov

U. S. Consulate General
Hong Kong

 

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Last modified: March 13, 2009