Weather Alert for U.S. Citizens: Rainy Season and Hurricane Season 2023 (June 9, 2023)
Location: Throughout Guatemala
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to Rainy Season in Guatemala, which generally lasts through October 2023, and to Hurricane Season in the Atlantic region, which lasts through November 2023.
Guatemala’s Rainy Season is characterized by frequent, heavy rainfalls which have caused landslides, floods, significant damage to roads, homes, and buildings, and have resulted in deaths. The Government of Guatemala may impose certain protective measures that could include imposing restrictions on vehicle movement and empowering local authorities to prevent the entry or exit of people into or out of affected areas.
Hurricane Season in the Atlantic begins June 1 and runs through November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center expects the 2023 season to be near-normal or average. NOAA predicts that the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season will produce:
- 12 to 17 storms
- 5 to 9 hurricanes
- 1 to 4 major hurricanes
What can you do ahead of Rainy Season and Hurricane Season?
Get ready:
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for security updates. Encourage your friends and family to register as well if they plan to travel outside of the United States.
- Be aware that in the event of heavy rain, a tropical storm, or a hurricane, you may not be able to depart the area for 24-48 hours or longer. Roads may be washed out or obstructed by debris, adversely affecting access to airports and land routes out of affected areas. Looting and sporadic violence in the aftermath of natural disasters is not uncommon, and security personnel may not always be available to assist.
- Obtain travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses, including health emergencies and evacuations. If a situation requires an evacuation from an overseas location, the U.S. Department of State may work with commercial airlines to ensure that U.S. citizens can depart as safely and efficiently as possible. Under U.S. law, any evacuation costs are your responsibility.
- Organize a kit of essential items in a waterproof container, including: bottled water, any medications taken regularly, non-perishable food, battery powered radio, vital documents – especially passports.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and NOAA have additional tips on their websites:
o https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
o http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php
Stay informed:
- Monitor local radio, local media, and the National Hurricane Center (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) to be aware of weather developments.
- Inform your friends and family of your whereabouts. Remain in close contact with your tour operator, hotel staff and local officials for evacuation instructions during a weather emergency.
- Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness can be found on the Department’s “Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones” webpage.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Guatemala City, Guatemala
Boulevard Austriaco 11-51, Zone 16
Website: https://gt.usembassy.gov/
Phone: (502) 2354-0000
Email: AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov
Contact the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs
1-888-407-4747 toll-free from the United States and Canada
1-202-501-4444 from other countries
Visit the Guatemala Country Information and Travel Advisory page
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
Visit Ready.Gov for information on emergency preparedness.