| Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC October 26, 2005 U.S. Government Action to Assist American Citizens in Mexico/Hurricane Wilma ResponseHurricane Wilma caused massive damage in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula this past weekend. The Department of State has actively sought to ensure that U.S. citizens are safe, have access to basic services, and will be able to return to the United States as quickly as possible. We are acutely aware that both tourists and residents are experiencing many hardships, and are working closely with the Mexican government and other nations to alleviate their situation and enable visitors to return home as soon as possible. Fortunately, to this point we have not yet learned of any deaths or serious injuries to U.S. citizens in Mexico as a result of the hurricane. CURRENT SITUATION: Embassy Mexico City reports that 4,000 Americans departed Mexico for the United States on October 25. Several thousand remain in shelters and hotels in either Merida or Cancun; up to 650 remain in Cozumel. The airlines report that they will be able to fly out today the 700 to 800 American citizens currently at Merida airport. Limited commercial air service at Cancun and Cozumel airports has begun, while charter flights continue, primarily to Cancun. Many electric and telephone lines are down, and communication is limited. Cancun and Cozumel airports suffered considerable damage, and airlines are working to safely return to normal operations in and out of the region. Considering the large number of international visitors eager to depart, along with the currently limited airport capacity due to damaged infrastructure, it may take several days to meet fully this demand. U.S. ACTIONS: On October 20th the State Department issued a Public Announcement asking Americans in the Yucatan "to consider departing until the storm has passed while commercial flights are still available." Embassy Mexico City established a command center to assist Consulate Merida October 20. A crisis response center of eight consular personnel was established in Cancun October 23. Despite extensive damage to the transportation infrastructure, the U.S. currently has 29 consular officials in Cancun, 34 in Merida, and 2 in Cozumel. These individuals are assisting American citizens with transportation to airports and with obtaining medical assistance, when needed, from Mexican and Red Cross authorities On October 24 and 25, consular officers in Cancun worked with local officials and travel companies to arrange the transport of approximately 2,100 Americans by bus from shelters in Cancun to Merida. Many more buses are scheduled to depart October 26. Several hundred American citizens returned to the U.S. from Merida on Continental Airlines and Frontier Airlines flights and several hundred others returned on charter flights. Many others are awaiting flights today. U.S. consular employees are providing assistance, including issuance of transportation letters when travel documents were lost and working with Mexican authorities to arrange temporary shelter until people are able to take flights to the U.S. On October 25, U.S. officials worked throughout the Cancun area, visiting shelters and hotels, to determine the condition of American citizens at area shelters and assist with their transportation to airports. Consular officials in Cancun are also helping American citizens in other ways. When alerted to medical emergencies of American citizens in specific shelters, U.S. consular personnel are directing Red Cross ambulances to those locations to ensure the Americans receive proper medical care. When alerted to security problems in the vicinity of shelters with American citizens, our consular personnel have immediately consulted with the Mexican authorities urging them to respond. To thwart looting, Cancun police have set up checkpoints throughout the city and imposed a 7 PM curfew. AIRPORT CONDITIONS, AIRLINE FLIGHTS: The airport in Cancun, which was heavily damaged, began passenger operations on October 25. Delta, American, and Continental Airlines are expected to have flights out of Cancun on October 26. Standard services are hampered by damaged airport equipment and a lack of electricity, but the evacuation of Americans is expected to continue. Passengers must report to the airline booking office in downtown Cancun on Avenue Xaxilan for their boarding pass before traveling to the airport, as electronic services at the airport are limited. The airport in Merida is open. Road conditions remain poor, limiting the number of tourists that can be moved from Cancun to Merida. Continental, American, and Frontier Airlines are expecting to fly today, and charter flights have also increased, including one that will operate out of Chichenitza October 26. A mainland ferry successfully reached the island of Cozumel during the late evening on October 24. At least 350 Americans have left the island on various vessels. The U.S. consular agent in Cozumel is working with the remaining American citizens there to assist them with transportation arrangements. Limited commercial air service has begun and is expected to increase in the next two days. In addition, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship delivering supplies will be available to carry all remaining Americans from Cozumel to Ft. Lauderdale, departing Cozumel on Thursday, October 27. The State Department has a 24-hour task force to oversee U.S. response to the damage in Mexico, as well as a Call Center to handle queries from the public. The Call Center can be reached toll free at 1-888-407-4747 or from overseas at 1-202-501-4444. 2005/988
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