US EMBASSY MANILA: TYPHOON WATCH IN EFFECT

 


U.S. Embassy Manila

Warden Message

October 30, 2009


THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO U.S. CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU.

Typhoon Watch in Effect

Be advised that there is a tropical depression east of the Republic of the Philippines
which may develop into a typhoon. You can check for weather updates at the following websites: http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil, www.typhoon2000.ph, or www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph .

Considering the damage caused by recent typhoon activity and the projected landfall of this typhoon in Northern/Central Luzon, please take the following precautionary measures in order to ensure minimal disruption or damage in the event the predicted storms intensify. Tropical storms/typhoons are unpredictable and can change their course and intensity. The level of intensity only represents wind strength, not amount of rainfall. Accurate predictions on rainfall for a given storm are difficult to give. U.S. citizens should keep themselves informed of weather developments, monitor the Embassy’s webpage, and follow the advice of local authorities below:
- if local authorities recommend evacuation, please follow their instructions


- secure loose outdoor items (limbs, roofing material, windows (coverings), doors, debris (trash), etc.)


- fill vehicle, generator fuel, and water tanks


- check and charge radios


- charge cell phones


- order bottled water; make ice


- gather flashlights, tools, and first aid supplies


- procure fresh batteries, candles, matches, water, groceries (canned and/or dry foods), and pet supplies


- assure an adequate supply of first aid materials and prescription medications


- stay home and let your family & office know how you plan to weather out the storm, especially those family members in the United States.

In general, use prudent judgment to plan ahead for any surprises or hardships. Additional information is available at www.ready.gov, www.americanredcross.org, www.red cross.org.ph or www.ndcc.gov.ph for Emergency Preparedness Planning.

If the Embassy public phone number, 301-2000, is not operational, U.S. Citizens who require emergency assistance may contact the American Citizens Services section through http://www.facebook.com/pages/Manila-Philippines/US-Embassy-Manila-Philippines/157551009622 or through acsinfomanila@state.gov or by calling the United States at the following numbers: 202-501-4444 (if calling from outside the United States or Canada) or 1-888-407-4747 (if calling from within the United States or Canada).

It is possible that the Embassy may close due to bad weather. If a typhoon occurs, visa applicants with appointments should first verify if the Embassy is open for business before proceeding to the Embassy. If the Embassy is closed, applicants will be contacted directly to reschedule their appointments on a priority basis. The applicant may also contact the Embassy's Visa Call Center at telephone 1-909-101-7878 to re-schedule a visa interview date. The Call Center number is for subscribers of PLDT and Smart telephone touchtone landlines with national and international distance dialing features (NDD or IDD access). Callers in the USA can contact the Call Center at 1-888-877-9888. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Manila time). There is a fee assessed to callers by the Call Center for its services. Details are also available at https://philippines.us-visaservices.com/Forms/default.aspx.

In the event of an Embassy closure, those people with appointments at the Veterans Clinic or Veterans Affairs Regional Office should be advised that Veterans' Affairs personnel will call all those with appointments and reschedule on a priority basis. Contact information for Veterans Affairs is as follows: Clinic: 011-63-2-833-4566 to 69, toll free number outside of Manila: 180018888782. Regional Office: 011-63-2-528-2500, toll free number outside of Manila: 180018885252.

For the latest safety/security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).