United States Consulate General Guadalajara

Warden Message

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing on the Pacific coast of Mexico of a tsunami wave which is anticipated to hit the northern part of the Pacific coast starting at 8:50 am PST on March 11, 2011. A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific Ocean near Northeastern Japan at around 14:46 pm JST on March 11, causing damage with blackouts, fire and tsunami. The large earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for countries all around the Pacific ocean. There is a general tsunami warning for the entire Mexican Pacific coast. Mexican Civil Protection recommends avoiding the beaches and remaining indoors. The Port Authority has closed the Port of Puerto Vallarta as a precautionary measure until further notice. The U.S. Consulate General urges American citizens to monitor local media sources for additional information. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “sea level readings confirm that a tsunami has been generated which could cause widespread damage…A tsunami is a series of waves and the first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and can vary significantly along a coast due to local effects. The time from one tsunami wave to the next can be five minutes to an hour, and the threat can continue for many hours as multiple waves arrive. When no major waves are observed for two hours after the estimated time of arrival or damaging waves have not occurred for at least two hours then local authorities can assume the threat is passed. Danger to boats and coastal structures can continue for several hours due to rapid currents. As local conditions can cause a wide variation in tsunami wave action, the all clear determination must be made by local authorities.”

NOAA anticipates that the waves will arrive at the following local times:
Ensenada: 8:50 PST Punta Abreojos: 10:38 MST
Cabos San Lucas: 11:15 MST Socorro: 11:25 MST
Mazatlan: 12:04 MST Nuevo Vallarta:Between 12:04 & 12:30 MST
Puerto Vallarta: Between 13:04 and 13:30 CST
Manzanillo: 13:30 CST Acapulco: 14:05 CST
Puerto Madero: 15:40 CST

In case of an emergency, please contact Mexican Civil Protection at 01-800-004-1300.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov. The U.S. Consular Agency in Puerto Vallarta is located at Paseo de los Cocoteros #85; Sur Paradise Plaza, Interior Local L-7, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, C.P. 63732. The U.S. Consular Agency in Puerto Vallarta’s telephone numbers are 011 52 322 222 0069 & 011 52 322 223 3301; the fax number is 011 52 322 223 0074. For after-hours emergencies, please call 011 52 33 3268 2145.