American Citizens Services

Warden Message - Severe Tropical Storm Koppu

September 14, 2009

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Hong Kong and Macau that the Hong Kong Observatory and the Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) have issued a strong wind signal No. 3 for Severe Tropical Storm Koppu. This means that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometers per hour are expected.

At 4 p.m., Severe Tropical Storm Koppu was estimated to be about 230 kilometers south-southeast of Hong Kong (near 20.4 degrees north 115.0 degrees east) and is forecast to move west-northwest at about 16 kilometers per hour towards the coast of western Guangdong.

The Observatory will consider the need for the No.8 Gale or Storm Signal around sunset. Please be advised that if a Typhoon Signal 8 or above is announced by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Consulate General will be closed and will reopen one hour after the signal is lowered back to Typhoon Signal 3.

For further details see the Hong Kong Observatory Tropical Cyclone Warning webpage or the Macau SMG Tropical Cyclone Warning web page.

Please monitor the tropical cyclone's track 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/www/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. citizens residing or traveling abroad are reminded to register with the U.S. Embassy or closest U.S. Consulate by entering your travel itinerary and contact information at: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs. In case of difficulties registering online, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

U. S. Consulate General
Hong Kong

 

---

Last modified: September 14, 2009