HURRICANE WILMA
by Sean McGahey
Hurricane Wilma hit the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico on 21 October and Cape Romano in Florida on 24 October. Consular assistance is being provided in Cancun and Florida for those directly affected by the Hurricane. If you are concerned about British friends or relatives missing in the area affected by the hurricane, you can call the FCO emergency line on 0207 008 0000.
The Foreign Office is helping to ensure that all British Citizens can leave the affected area. We are doing this by assisting the evacuation of independent travellers stranded in Cancun and by aiding tour operators to maximise departure opportunities for their customers through local airports. Flights have been leaving Cancun and Merida airports since 26 October, and many operators already have aircraft positioned throughout the area, ready to depart when airport traffic allows.
We expect that the majority of the estimated 8,000 British holidaymakers, will have been evacuated by Friday, with the final few expected to have left by the weekend.
If you are planning to travel to the affected region, please read the latest FCO Travel Advice:
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Natural Disasters section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
SUMMARY
• Hurricane Wilma hit Cape Romano in Florida on Monday 24 October. Hurricane force winds were felt in much of central and southern Florida. Fallen trees, wind damage to buildings and loss of power are commonplace in the state. You should keep in touch with your local travel agent about how this might affect your travel plans. If you are in the area, heed advice from local authorities, and keep in touch with friends or relatives in the UK to let them know your plans. If you are due to leave through Miami or Fort Lauderdale airports, you should allow extra time for your journey to the airport. For more information on Wilma, please visit the National Hurricane Centre and the FCO Factsheet Hurricane Wilma. If you are concerned about British friends or relatives missing in the area affected by the hurricane, you can call the FCO emergency line on 0207 008 0000.
More information please visit : http://www.fco.gov.uk/