Weather Alert – U. S. Embassy Guatemala City, Guatemala
Location: Guatemala, country wide.
Event: CONTINUED RISK IN AFTERMATH OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION ETA: Tropical Depression Eta moved out to the Caribbean Sea overnight, but additional heavy rainfall is forecast for Guatemala through the weekend, particularly in eastern and northern regions.
A State of Calamity is currently in effect in the departments of Petén, Quiché, Alta Verapaz, Izabal, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Jutiapa, El Progreso and Santa Rosa. Evacuations are underway for communities in Peten, Alta Verapaz, Izabal, Quiche, and Zacapa. Guatemala remains at increased risk due to flooding, landslides, damage to the road network, and rising rivers.
Closed roads:
CA-9
- 229 road to Marisco, Los Amates
- 240 North.
- 245 Carretera al Atlántico turn of La Ruidosa, Morales, Izabal.
- 247 Carretera al Atlántico turn of La Ruidosa, Morales, Izabal.
- 262 Village la Pimienta, Carretera al Atlántico
- 154 Bridge Santiago Carretera al Atlántico
Precaution, constant landslides:
CA-13
- 249 Road to Petén, Morales
CA-1
- 90 al 126
Road construction and repair work
CA-1
- Km 188 West, San Cristóbal, Totonicapán
- Km 35 San Lucas to Km 43 Sumpango, Sacatepéquez
RN-5
- Km 260 from Pajal to Lanquín, Alta Verapaz
RN-15
- Km 163 to 170 San Pedro Jocopilas a Sta. Cruz del Quiche.
CITO 180
- Km 180 Route Retalhuleu/Quetzaltenango.
Actions to Take:
CONRED (National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction) advises citizens to;
- Follow instructions issued by local authorities
- Review household evacuation plans
- Ensure that a 72-hour emergency bag is ready for each household member.
The U.S. Embassy further recommends that U.S. citizens;
- Notify friends and family that you are safe.
- Remain in your home if it is safe to do so, or seek alternative shelter if necessary.
- Avoid any unnecessary travel at this time as roads can quickly become extremely unsafe.Navigation devices and applications that provide directions and traffic and route suggestions should be used with caution as certain detours or alternate routes from main roads and highways can lead to unsafe areas or roads affected by flooding or landslides.
- Visit INSIVUMEH(Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología) website for updated weather and hazard information.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Guatemala City
https://gt.usembassy.gov
Tel. (502) 2326-4000
Amcitsguatemala@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
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