Message from the Consulate General in Atlanta

[Kathryn41 3,205]

This message is being sent to all Connect2Canada members in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee on behalf on the Consulate General of Canada in Atlanta. Please share this information with all Canadian citizens in your area.

Regards,

The Connect2Canada Team

Notice to All Canadian Citizens in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee

As you must be well aware, Hurricane Gustav is approaching the US Gulf Coast and it is predicted to make landfall early tomorrow. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to the northern Coast of the Gulf of Mexico, from east of High Island, Texas to the Alabama-Florida border, including the city of New Orleans and Lake Ponchartrain.

The U.S. National Hurricane Centre in Miami has issued advisories for Hurricane Gustav. As changes to the forecast and local conditions are continuous, Canadians should visit the U.S. National Hurricane Centre for the latest updates. You can also view the Department of Foreign Affairs' travel report on the United States at http://www.voyage.gc.ca/consular_home-en.asp

Canadians residing in or travelling to the affected areas should monitor local news and weather reports, follow the advice of local authorities, and contact their travel agent or tour operator to determine whether the situation will disrupt travel arrangements.

Canadians in Alabama and Mississippi seeking emergency consular assistance in the area should contact the Canadian Consulate General in Atlanta:

Address: 1175 Peachtree Street N.E., Suite 1700, Atlanta, GA 30361

Tel.: (404) 532-2000

Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 1-888-949-9993

Fax: (404) 532-2050

E-Mail: atnta@international.gc.ca

Internet: http://www.atlanta.gc.ca

You may also contact the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa, open 24/7, at 1-800-387-3124 or 1-613-996-8885 – collect calls are accepted.

The hurricane season extends from June 1st to November 30th. For more information, please see our Global Issue on the hurricane season.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

[Reba 2]

I don't get it. North Carolina is kinda far from the Gulf Coast, why is it included in the warning? Makes no sense. Gustav seems to be headed in the completely opposite direction.

Hanna on the other hand seems to be headed straight for us, but she's not very big, and may not even get to hurricane strength. We might get some rain, but I doubt it would be anything much to worry about.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The Consulate listed every state that they service so even though the more north easterly ones are not going to be affected they are sending the notice out there as well. There may be Canadians residing in those states who have Canadian relatives residing in the affected areas and they wish to spread the word as far as possible.

So far it is unlikely that Hanna will cause any problems. Weather forecasts show strong shearing winds that don't even allow her to become a hurricane and a new developing ridge looks like she will be pushed further east- the forecast doesn't even show her hitting the Bahamas directly anymore but moving to the east of them. Storm surges and riptides along the eastern coastal waters will probably be the most effect we will feel.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Hmm, yes the forecast on Hanna has changed - the wind shear limiting her has dropped and it does appear she will make hurricane strength. Her course now does seem to indicate a landfall next friday Saturday somewhere along the Georgia/South Carolina coastline.