6 November 2007

Flooding in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico

Several days of torrential rains and the passage of Hurricane Noel has caused extensive flooding in Mexico and several countries of the Caribbean and Central America [1].

In the Caribbean, Tropical Storm Noel strengthened to a hurricane in the Atlantic on 1 November 2007. In the Dominican Republic 85 people are reported to have died [2]. The storm did not directly affect the main tourist centres of the country [3]. Other affected countries were Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Honduras and Nicaragua in Central America. The ReliefWeb website has posted maps of the affected areas.

In south east Mexico torrential rains caused several rivers to burst their banks. As a result approximately 80% of the state of Tabasco has been damaged by severe flooding with the state capital, Villahermosa, particularly affected. The neighbouring states of Chiapas and Veracruz have also been affected. A map of the areas can be found on the ReliefWeb website.

Advice for travellers

The floods have caused extensive damage to water supplies and medical facilities. Travellers to the area, for example relief workers, should be aware of the potential hazards and health risks.

General advice for travellers intending to visit affected areas can be found in the NaTHNaC Natural Disasters Health Information Sheet. Specific advice for travel can be found on the NaTHNaC Country Information Page. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website should always be consulted prior to planning travel to assess safety at the destination and whether there are any travel restrictions.  

References

1. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Flooding in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean: Immediate needs for children, adolescents and women affected by flooding in Central America and the Caribbean, 03 Nov 2007. 3 November 2007 [accessed 6 November 2007] Available at http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/RMOI-78MMAE?OpenDocument&rc=2&cc=mex

2. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Dominican Republic: Tropical Storm Noel OCHA situation report no. 4. 5 November 2007 [accessed 6 November 2007]. Available at http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/THOU-78P435?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2007-000198-DOM

3. Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Travel advice by country - Dominican Republic. Updated 2 November 2007 [accessed 6 November 2007] Available at http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2

FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=

KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618385857

Links

NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet. Advice for relief workers and other travellers to areas affected by natural disasters. http://www.nathnac.org/travel/factsheets/naturaldisasters_2108

07.htm

NaTHNaC Country Information Page.

http://www.nathnac.org/ds/map_world.aspx

Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Hurricanes. http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xc

elerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1139993331560