Expat Community > Philippines

Typhoon Watch in Effect

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing or traveling in the Philippines that the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued alerts for a Severe Typhoon,
with the international name of Songda and the Philippine name of Chedeng.  As of 4:00 a.m.  local time on May 23, 2011, this typhoon was located 880 km East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.  

The typhoon is expected to move west, northwest at 13 kilometers per hour, and to approach the Bicol Region Wednesday and make its way in a northeastern direction toward central and northern Luzon before moving out of the Philippines.  Typhoon Songda/Chedeng is predicted to bring strong winds, with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms across the affected areas. For further details, see the PAGASA Typhoon Warning http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.  Please monitor the typhoon’s track by listening to the radio, watching television, or monitoring http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil, www.typhoon2000.ph, or www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.  In the event the typhoon affects your location, locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions.  Carry your travel documents at all times (e.g. U.S. passport, birth certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location.  You should also contact friends and family in the United States with updates about your whereabouts. Additional information on emergency situations in the Philippines is available at www.red cross.org.ph  or www.ndcc.gov.ph.

Additional information on storm preparedness may be found on the “Natural Disasters” page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.  Updated information on travel in the Philippines may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

It is possible that typhoon conditions may require that the Embassy temporarily close.  In the event of a weather-related closure, the Embassy will issue a warden message.  Please continue to monitor the Embassy’s website http://manila.usembassy.gov/ for updated information.  Please consult the Country Specific Information for Philippines, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.    

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Mnaila; telephone (02) 301-2000 extensions 2246 or 2567; after hours emergency telephone (02) 301-2000; fax (02) 301-2017; e-mail [email protected]; web page http://manila.usembassy.gov.

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 [email protected] 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).  

U.S. Embassy

Manila, Philippines

American Citizens Services

U.S. Embassy, Manila, Philippines

Tel: (63 2) 301-2000 extensions 2246 or 2567

Fax: (63 2) 301-2017

Website: http://manila.usembassy.gov/