Alex Now Cat 1 Hurricane

Tropical Storm ‘Alex’ has strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane.   A hurricane warning is in effect for the Texas coast and NE coast of Mexico, with high winds and heavy rain forecast.  

President Obama has issued a federal emergency declaration for Texas.  Along Texas coastal areas they are preparing for a possible evacuation, with sandbags, temporary shelters, and the National Guard on standby.

Tropical storm Alex was downgraded over the weekend, but then upgraded again before turning into a hurricane.

Over the past few days it has affected many areas, including Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula, (including popular coastal resorts along Mexico’s Caribbean coast).  It has also been complicating the BP oil spill clean up operations. 

Travellers to any affected areas should monitor news and weather reports for updates or contact their airline, travel agent or tour operator.

Visit our Travel Guide to the United States and follow the link for the Foreign Office (FCO) for updated and imporant travel advice (including visa/entry requirements and the new ESTA rules).  

For a travel insurance quote click here.

Flickr cc Image:  NASA Goddard Photo and Video (Hurricane Celia, Mexico)