AIT Announcements Thread

[jlick]

Pacific Typhoon Season 2010 The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is
transmitting the following information through AIT¡¯s warden system
as a public service to all U.S. citizens in Taiwan. Please disseminate
this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations or to other
Americans you know.
AIT wishes to remind all U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to East
Asia and the West and Central Pacific region about the ongoing threat of
typhoons originating in the West and Central Pacific region. The region
covered by the State Department¡¯s Pacific Typhoon Season 2010 Travel
Alert includes countries in East Asia and the West and Central Pacific
regions north of the Equator. Typhoons in this area of the Pacific may
occur year round; however, historically, the most active months are June
through November. U.S. citizens in the region should monitor local
weather reports and take appropriate action as needed. The Pacific
Typhoon Season 2010 Travel Alert expires on December 1, 2010.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Central
Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) predicts a 70 percent chance that
activity during the 2010 Typhoon Season will be below normal in the
Central Pacific basin. Each season, the West and Central Pacific region
experiences 31 typhoons on average, about half of which have the
potential to cause severe destruction. The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration recommends that those in typhoon-prone
regions be prepared.

In the past, many U.S. citizens traveling abroad in this area during
typhoon season were forced to delay their travel or return to the United
States because of infrastructure damage to airports and limited flight
availability. In many cases, flights were suspended, and passengers
faced long delays due to the need to repair a damaged airport. Roads
were also washed out or obstructed by debris, adversely affecting access
to airports and land routes out of affected areas. In the event of a
typhoon, you should be aware that you may not be able to depart an
affected area for 24 to 48 hours or more.

In the aftermath of a storm, you may encounter uncomfortable and
sometimes dangerous conditions after storms have passed while you wait
for transportation back to the United States. In many places, typhoons
are often accompanied by damaging high tides and flooding. If you are
living close to the ocean or other bodies of water, you may be
especially at risk. Landslides and mudslides are also a serious concern
during heavy periods of rain. Looting and sporadic violence sometimes
occur after natural disasters but media reports may be exaggerated or
otherwise inaccurate. Be sure to check with local authorities for safety
and security updates. Because of weather conditions or damage to
infrastructure, U.S. Embassy and host country security personnel may not
be able to assist you at all times.

If the damage in the aftermath of a storm requires evacuation, the State
Department and our embassies and consulates overseas work to identify
and recommend the safest and most efficient means of travel away from a
disaster. Commercial airlines are the best source of transportation in
an evacuation. The Department arranges other means of transport,
including U.S. military support, only as a last resort when commercial
transportation is completely unavailable. In any emergency, you should
know that the Department does not provide free transportation but has
the authority to provide you a loan to return to the United States if
you are in financial need. If you have not done so already, you should
obtain travel insurance
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html#insurance> to cover
unexpected expenses during an emergency.

If you are living in or traveling to storm-prone regions overseas, you
should prepare for typhoons and tropical storms by organizing a kit
containing a supply of bottled water, non-perishable food items, a
battery-powered or hand-crank radio and vital documents, including your
passport, photo identification, and/or birth certificate, in a
waterproof container. Emergency shelters often have access only to basic
resources and limited medical and food supplies.

Be sure to monitor local media to stay aware of weather developments.
For further information on typhoon warnings in the West and Central
Pacific region, please consult the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in
Honolulu <http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC> and the National Weather
Service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center
<http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/cphc> , as well as Fiji's regional
meteorological center responsible for cyclone warnings in the South
Pacific region at Fiji Meteorological Service website
<http://www.met.gov.fj/> .

Minor tropical storms can develop into typhoons very quickly, limiting
the time available for you to evacuate safely. Please tell family and
friends in the United States of your whereabouts and keep in close
contact with your tour operator, hotel staff, and local officials for
evacuation instructions in the event of a weather emergency. Please
protect your travel and identity documents against loss or damage, as
the need to replace lost documentation could hamper or delay your return
to the United States.

We encourage all U.S. citizens abroad to register with the nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate through the Department of State's travel
registration website <https://travelregistration.state.gov/> . By
registering, you can receive the nearest embassy's or consulate's most
recent security and safety updates during your trip. Registration also
ensures that we can reach you during an emergency either abroad or at
home. While consular officers will do their utmost to assist you in a
crisis, please be aware that local authorities bear primary
responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their
jurisdictions.

Additional information on cyclones and storm preparedness may be found
on the Typhoon Season page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs' Hurricane
Preparedness website
<http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_3795.html> .
Updated information on travel in typhoon-prone regions may be obtained
from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United
States and Canada, or from other areas, 1-202-501-4444. If you travel in
the region, please check the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website
<http://www.usembassy.gov/> with consular responsibilities for the
territory you will be visiting. For further information please consult
the Country Specific Information website
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html> for the
country or territory in question.

Typhoons in Taiwan

The typhoon season in Taiwan runs from April through October, although
storms are most frequent from July to October. Well before the arrival
of the typhoon season, you should insure that you have emergency
supplies on hand such as candles and matches, flashlights and batteries,
a first aid kit, canned food, bottled water, plastic sheeting, etc. In
the event of an approaching typhoon you should tune your radio to ICRT
(100.7FM), which provides English-language news, or you can visit the
web site of Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau at http://www.cwb.gov.tw/
<http://www.cwb.gov.tw/> . (The button to select the English version is
in the upper right hand corner of the screen.) Another web site offering
typhoon tracking information is
http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/
<http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/> .

If it appears that a typhoon will hit your area, you must make adequate
preparations. Taipei Living, published by the Community Service Center
<http://www.community.com.tw/disaster.php> , includes a checklist of
steps to take if it is predicted that a typhoon is going to hit Taiwan.
The web site for the U.S. Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/
<http://www.redcross.org/> also offers advice on preparing for
typhoons.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Taiwan are encouraged to register
with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). Registration may be done
online and in advance of travel. Warden messages detailing the most
recent information for American citizens registered with AIT may be
found on AIT¡¯s website at http://www.ait.org.tw
<http://www.ait.org.tw/> . Information on registering may be found at
the Department of State¡¯s Consular Affairs website at
http://travel.state.gov <http://travel.state.gov/> . U.S. citizens
should consult the Department of State¡¯s consular information sheet
for Taiwan, which is available via the internet at
http://travel.state.gov <http://travel.state.gov/> . U.S. citizens may
obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling
1-8888-501-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or
202-501-4444 from overseas.

U.S. citizens may contact AIT/Taipei via email at amcit-ait-t@state.gov
<mailto:amcit-ait-t@state.gov> or by telephone at 2162-2014 during
working hours or fax at 2162-2239 after hours or on weekends.
AIT/Taipei is located at 7, Lane 134, Xinyi Rd, Sec. 3, Taipei, 10659.

AIT/Kaohsiung may be reached by telephone at 07-2387744 and is located
at 5/F No. 2 Chung Chen 3rd Road, Kaohsiung. AIT¡¯s website,
http://www.ait.org.tw <http://www.ait.org.tw/> contains complete
information about services provided and hours of operation.

[sandman]

In the event of an approaching typhoon you should tune your radio to ICRT

That's like the old instructions for what to do in the event of a nuclear attack: Crawl under a table, place your head between your knees...

And kiss your arse goodbye.

[jlick]

The Department of State has issued this Worldwide Caution to update
information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence
against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. U.S. citizens
are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take
appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This replaces
the Worldwide Caution dated February 12, 2010, to provide updated
information on security threats and terrorist activities worldwide.

The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of
terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against
U.S. citizens and interests overseas. U.S. citizens are reminded that
demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning. Current
information suggests that al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue
to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions,
including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These attacks may
employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations,
assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings.

Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons,
and target both official and private interests. Examples of such
targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas,
business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship,
schools, public areas, and locales where U.S. citizens gather in large
numbers, including during holidays.

U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack
public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure.
Extremists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well
as aviation and maritime services. In the past several years, attacks
have occurred in cities such as London, Madrid, Glasgow, and Moscow.

Credible information indicates terrorist groups seek to continue attacks
against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. For
example, Iraq remains dangerous and unpredictable. Attacks against
military and civilian targets throughout Iraq continue. Methods of
attack have included roadside improvised explosive devices, mortars, and
shootings; kidnappings still occur as well. Security threat levels
remain high in Yemen due to terrorist activities there. The U.S.
Embassy has had to close several times in response to ongoing threats by
Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). U.S. citizens have been the
targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon in the past and the
threat of anti-Western terrorist activity continues to exist there. In
Algeria, terrorist attacks occur regularly, particularly in the Kabylie
region of the country. In the past, terrorists have targeted oil
processing facilities in both Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

A number of al-Qaida operatives and other extremists are believed to be
operating in and around Africa. Since the July 11, 2010, terrorist
bombings in Kampala, Uganda, for which the Somalia-based,
U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization al-Shabaab has claimed
responsibility, there have been increased threats against public areas
across East Africa. The terrorist bombing in two public venues in
Kampala, which resulted in 74 deaths, highlights the vulnerabilities of
large public gatherings in East Africa and around the world.
Additionally, the terrorist group, al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb
(AQIM) has declared its intention to attack Western targets throughout
the Sahel, which includes Mali, Mauritania, and Niger, and has claimed
responsibility for kidnappings, attempted kidnappings, and the murder of
several Westerners.

U.S. citizens considering travel by sea near the Horn of Africa or in
the southern Red Sea should exercise extreme caution, as there has been
a notable increase in armed attacks, robberies and kidnappings for
ransom at sea by pirates. Merchant vessels continue to be hijacked in
Somali territorial waters, while others have been hijacked as far as
1,000 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia, Yemen, and Kenya in
international waters.

The U.S. government maritime authorities advise mariners to avoid the
port of Mogadishu, and to remain at least 200 nautical miles off the
coast of Somalia. In addition, when transiting around the Horn of
Africa or in the Red Sea, it is strongly recommended that vessels travel
in convoys, and maintain good communications at all times. U.S.
citizens traveling on commercial passenger vessels should consult with
the shipping or cruise ship company regarding precautions that will be
taken to avoid hijacking incidents. Commercial vessels should review
the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration's
<http://www.marad.dot.gov/news_room_landing_page/horn_of_africa_piracy/h\
orn_of_africa_piracy.htm> suggested piracy countermeasures for vessels
transiting the Gulf of Aden.

The U.S. government continues to receive information that terrorist
groups in South and Central Asia may be planning attacks in the region,
possibly against U.S. government facilities, U.S. citizens, or U.S.
interests. The presence of al-Qaida, Taliban elements, Lashkar-e-Taiba,
indigenous sectarian groups, and other terror organizations, many of
which are on the U.S. government's list of foreign terror organizations,
poses a potential danger to U.S. citizens in the region. Terrorists
and their sympathizers have demonstrated their willingness and
capability to attack targets where Americans or Westerners are known to
congregate or visit. Their actions may include, but are not limited to,
vehicle-born explosives, improvised explosive devices, assassinations,
carjacking, rocket attacks, assaults, or kidnappings.

Some examples include Pakistan where a number of extremist groups
continue to target U.S. citizens and other Western interests and
Pakistani officials. Suicide bombing attacks continue to occur
throughout the country on a regular basis, often targeting government
authorities such as police checkpoints and military installations, as
well as public areas such as mosques, and shopping areas. In
Afghanistan, remnants of the former Taliban regime and the al-Qaida
terrorist network, as well as other groups hostile to International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF)/NATO military operations, remain
active. There is an ongoing threat to kidnap and assassinate U.S.
citizens and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) workers throughout the
country. In India there is a continuing threat of terrorism as attacks
have randomly targeted public places frequented by Westerners, including
luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas,
mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas.

Supporters of terrorist groups such as the Islamic Movement of
Uzbekistan, al-Qaida, the Islamic Jihad Union, and the Eastern Turkistan
Islamic Movement are active in the Central Asian region. Members of
these groups have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments and have attacked U.S.
government interests in the past. Previous terrorist attacks conducted
in Central Asia have involved improvised explosive devices, suicide
bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings.

Before You Go

U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with
the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's
travel registration <https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/>
website so that they can obtain updated information on travel and
security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly
with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, U.S.
citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in
case of emergency.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of
vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to
bolster their personal security. For additional information, please
refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html> ."

U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of
alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend
public services to assess their security posture. In those instances,
U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide
emergency services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are urged to
monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S.
Embassy or Consulate.

As the Department of State continues to develop information on any
potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible
threat information through its Consular Information Program
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html>
documents, such as Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html> as well as
Country Information.
<http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html> In
addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date
information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free
in the United States and Canada or, outside the United States and Canada
on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available
from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday, Eastern Time (except U.S.
federal holidays).

AIT encourages you, as an American living or traveling in Taiwan, to
register through the State Department's travel registration website,
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
<https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/> Registration is a
voluntary way of telling us that you, as an American citizen, are in
Taiwan, whether for a long-term stay or for a short visit. In the event
of an emergency, we use registration information to communicate with
you. This could include a family emergency in which relatives in the
United States request that AIT contact you.

The Consular Section of AIT's Taipei and Kaohsiung Offices can be
reached during regular business hours (M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) by
telephone at (02) 2162-2000 and (07) 238-7744; by fax at (02) 2162-2239
and (07) 238-5237; and by e-mail at amcit-ait-t@state.gov
<mailto:amcit-ait-t@state.gov> . After hours, in case of emergency, a
duty officer can be reached by calling the AIT switchboard at (02)
2162-2000. The AIT Taipei office is located at No.7, Lane 134, Sec. 3,
Xinyi Rd., Da'an District, Taipei City 10659. The address for AIT
Kaohsiung is: 5th Floor, No.2, ChungCheng 3rd Rd., Xin-Xing District,
Kaohsiung City 80052.

[jlick]

The American Institute in Taiwan wishes to alert U.S. citizens residing
or traveling in Taiwan that the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau is
tracking Tropical Storm LIONROCK. This storm may affect Taiwan over the
next several days. The current projected track of the storm is towards
the southern coast of Taiwan. Taiwan's Central Bureau is also
tracking Typhoon KOMPASU, which is projected to pass north of Taiwan but
could affect travel in the region for the next several days.

U.S. citizens should monitor the progress of the storms on Taiwan's
Central Weather Bureau website http://www.cwb.gov.tw/eng/index.htm
<http://www.cwb.gov.tw/eng/index.htm> (in English) and through local
media and make appropriate provisions for food, water and shelter.
International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) also provides regular
weather bulletins in English. ICRT broadcasts at 100.7 FM in the Taipei
and Kaohsiung areas and at 100.1 FM in Taichung. ICRT also offers
streaming audio over the internet: www.icrt.com.tw/en/D01.php
<http://www.icrt.com.tw/en/D01.php> .

For additional information on storms, their effects, and steps you
should take to prepare, please see the State Department's Bureau of
Consular Affairs website for several useful links related to natural
disasters and emergencies:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/eme ... _1212.html
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html>
.

AIT encourages you, as a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Taiwan, to
register through the State Department's travel registration website,
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
<https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/> Registration is a
voluntary way of telling us that you, as a U.S. citizen, are in Taiwan,
whether for a long-term stay or for a short visit. In the event of an
emergency, we use registration information to communicate with you.
This could include a family emergency in which relatives in the United
States request that AIT contact you.

The Consular Section of AIT's Taipei and Kaohsiung Offices can be
reached during regular business hours (M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) by
telephone at (02) 2162-2000 and (07) 238-7744; by fax at (02) 2162-2239
and (07) 238-5237; and by e-mail at amcit-ait-t@state.gov
<mailto:amcit-ait-t@state.gov> . After hours, in case of emergency, a
duty officer can be reached by calling the AIT switchboard at (02)
2162-2000. The AIT Taipei office is located at No.7, Lane 134, Sec. 3,
Xinyi Rd., Da'an District, Taipei City 10659. The address for AIT
Kaohsiung is: 5th Floor, No.2, ChungCheng 3rd Rd., Xin-Xing District,
Kaohsiung City 80052. If AIT must close because of the storm, the
American Institute in Taiwan will post a notice on its website
www.ait.org.tw <http://www.ait.org.tw/> AIT/Taipei in general follows
the Taipei City government with regard to decisions concerning closure
of normal business operations. In general, AIT/Kaohsiung follows the
Kaohsiung City government for decisions concerning closure of
operations.

Taiwan airports and public transportation services may suspend
operations as a result of the storm. U.S. citizens should confirm that
transportation facilities are open and operating before traveling.

[Satellite TV]

Hey enough already of re posting the same thing.

[sandman]

Hey enough already of re posting the same thing.

He has to, I think. He must some kind of "warden" or something and part of the deal is they have to spam people's emails and forums like this with the latest useless bumph churned out by AIT. And they're not the same -- the last one is about fucking Somalia or someplace like that.

[jlick]

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Taiwan that the Joint Typhoon Warning Center and the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau issued alerts for Typhoon FANAPI on September 16, 2010. The storm is currently projected to make landfall this Sunday,September 19. It is expected to affect northern and eastern parts of Taiwan, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to much of the island through early next week.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center reports that at 03:00 GMT on September 16 Typhoon FANAPI was located approximately 300 nautical miles south of Okinawa, and was tracking northeastward at 05 knots over the past six hours. Maximum significant wave height at 00:00 GMT on September 16 was 14 feet with winds in excess of 63 mph. For further details, see the Joint Typhoon Warning Center's Tropical Cyclone Warning at http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC.

We will continue to monitor Typhoon Fanapi's track and will issue updated messages. Please monitor the tropical cyclone's track by listening to the radio, watching television, or monitoring Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau <http://www.cwb.gov.tw/eng/index.htm> website in English. International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) also provides regular weather bulletins in English on 100.7 FM in the Taipei and Kaohsiung areas and on 100.1 FM in Taichung. ICRT also offers streaming audio over the internet <http://www.icrt.com.tw/en/D01.php>. Locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. Carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. 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 on your whereabouts.

Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found on our "Hurricane/Typhoon Season" webpage <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_3795.html>, and on the "Natural Disasters" <http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html> page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. Updated information on travel in Taiwan 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).

Please continue to monitor the American Institute in Taiwan's website <http://www.ait.org.tw/> for updated information. Please consult the Country Specific Information for Taiwan <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1036.html>, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website <http://travel.state.gov/>.

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the American Institute in Taiwan. The location of the AIT Taipei office is No. 7, Lane 134, Sec. 3, Xinyi Road, Da'an District, Taipei City 10659; telephone (02) 2162 2000; fax (02) 2162-2239; email amcit-ait-t@state.gov; after hours emergency (02)2162-2000; website <http://acs.ait.org.tw/>. The location of the AIT Kaohsiung office is 5th Floor, No. 2, Zhongzheng 3rd Road, Xin-Xing District, Kaohsiuing City 80052; telephone (07) 238-7744; fax (07) 238-5237; email amcit-ait-t@state.gov; after hours emergency (02) 2162-2000; website: <http://kaohsiung.ait.org.tw/en/consular-service.html> .

American Institute in Taiwan
Taiwan

[jlick]

Warden Message October 21, 2010
This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing or
traveling in Taiwan that the Joint Typhoon Warning Center and the Taiwan
Central Weather Bureau issued warnings for Typhoon MEGI on October 21,
2010. The storm is currently projected to pass west of Taiwan,
beginning this Thursday evening, October 21. It is expected to affect
southern, western and northern parts of Taiwan, bringing heavy rain and
strong winds to much of the island through this coming weekend. The
Joint Typhoon Warning Center reports that at 21:00 GMT on October 20
Typhoon MEGI was located approximately 275 nautical miles southeast of
Hong Kong, China, and was tracking north-northeastward at 05 knots over
the past six hours. Maximum significant wave height at 18:00 GMT on
October 20 was 38 feet with winds in excess of 115 mph. For further
details, see the Joint Typhoon Warning Center's Tropical Cyclone Warning
at http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC <http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC> .

We will continue to monitor Typhoon MEGI's track and will issue
updated messages. Please monitor the tropical cyclone's track by
listening to the radio, watching television, or monitoring Taiwan's
Central Weather Bureau website <http://www.cwb.gov.tw/eng/index.htm> in
English. International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) also provides
regular weather bulletins in English on 100.7 FM in the Taipei and
Kaohsiung areas and on 100.1 FM in Taichung. ICRT also offers streaming
audio over the internet <http://www.icrt.com.tw/en/D01.php> . Locate
shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions.
Carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. 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 on your whereabouts.

Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found
on our "Hurricane/Typhoon Season
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_3795.html> "
webpage, and on the "Natural Disasters
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html>
" page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. Updated
information on travel in Taiwan 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).

Please continue to monitor the American Institute in Taiwan's website
<http://www.ait.org.tw/> for updated information, including
announcements of AIT closure. Please consult the Country Specific
Information for Taiwan, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs
website <http://travel.state.gov/> .

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the American
Citizens Services Unit of the American Institute in Taiwan. The
location of the AIT Taipei office is No. 7, Lane 134, Sec. 3, Xinyi
Road, Da'an District, Taipei City 10659; telephone (02) 2162-2000; fax
(02) 2162-2239; email amcit-ait-t@state.gov
<mailto:amcit-ait-t@state.gov> ; after hours emergency (02)2162-2000;
website http://acs.ait.org.tw/. The location of the AIT Kaohsiung
office is 5th Floor, No. 2, Zhongzheng 3rd Road, Xin-Xing District,
Kaohsiuing City 80052; telephone (07) 238-7744; fax (07) 238-5237; email
amcit-ait-t@state.gov <mailto:amcit-ait-t@state.gov> ; after hours
emergency (02) 2162-2000; website .
http://kaohsiung.ait.org.tw/en/consular-service.html.

American Institute in Taiwan

Taiwan

[jlick]

The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan. Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. This Travel Alert expires August 1, 2011.

U.S. Embassy operations in affected areas will continue to the extent possible under the constraints of any evolving security situation. U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. Embassies and Consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Media coverage of local events may cause family and friends to become concerned for their loved ones traveling and residing abroad. We urge U.S. citizens to keep in regular contact with family and friends. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to receive the latest travel updates and information and to obtain updated information on travel and security issues. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

Travel information is also available at www.travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

For information on "What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis," please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs' website at www.travel.state.gov. For further information on specific countries, U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information pages, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings at www.travel.state.gov as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs' page on Facebook as well.

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The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to
East Asia and the West and Central Pacific region about the ongoing
threat of typhoons originating in Pacific. The region covered by this
alert includes countries in East Asia and the West and Central Pacific
regions north of the Equator. Typhoons in this area of the Pacific may
occur year round; however, historically, the most active months are June
through November. U.S. citizens in the region should monitor local
weather reports and take appropriate action as needed. This travel alert
expires on December 1, 2011.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Central
Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) predicts a 70 percent chance that
activity during the 2011 Typhoon Season will be below normal in the
Central Pacific basin. Each season the West and Central Pacific region
experiences 31 typhoons on average, about half of which have the
potential to cause severe destruction. NOAA recommends that people in
typhoon-prone regions be prepared.

Many U.S. citizens traveling abroad in this area during typhoon season
are forced to delay their travel or return to the United States because
of infrastructure damage to airports and limited flight availability.
Roads may be washed out or obstructed by debris, limiting or delaying
access to airports and land routes out of affected areas. In the event
of a typhoon, you should be aware that you may not be able to depart an
affected area for 24 to 48 hours or more. We recommend that you obtain
travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses during an emergency.

In the aftermath of a storm, you may encounter uncomfortable and
sometimes dangerous conditions after storms pass while you wait for
transportation back to the United States. In many places, typhoons often
are accompanied by damaging high tides and flooding. If you are living
close to the ocean or other bodies of water, you may be at higher risk.
Landslides and mudslides also are serious concerns during heavy periods
of rain. Looting and sporadic violence sometimes occur after natural
disasters. Be sure to check with local authorities for safety and
security updates. Because weather conditions can damage local
infrastructure, security personnel and other emergency responders may
not be able to assist you at all times.

If the situation requires evacuation from an overseas location, the
State Department and our embassies and consulates overseas will work to
identify and inform you of the safest and most efficient means of travel
away from a disaster. Commercial airlines are the best source of
transportation in an evacuation. The Department arranges other means of
transport, including U.S. military support, only as a last resort when
commercial transportation is completely unavailable. In any emergency,
you should know that the Department does not provide free
transportation. If you are unable to pay your transportation costs, the
Department has the authority to provide you a loan to return to the
United States or the nearest safe location.

If you are living in or traveling to storm-prone regions overseas, you
should prepare for typhoons and tropical storms by organizing a kit
containing a supply of bottled water, non-perishable food items, a
battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and vital documents (such as your
passport, other government-issued photo identification, birth
certificate, etc.) in a waterproof container. Emergency shelters often
provide only very basic resources and may have limited medical and food
supplies.

Minor tropical storms can develop into typhoons very quickly, limiting
the time available for you to evacuate safely. Please tell family and
friends in the United States of your whereabouts and keep in close
contact with your tour operator, hotel staff, and local officials for
evacuation instructions in the event of a weather emergency. Protect
your travel and identity documents against loss or damage, as the need
to replace lost documentation could hamper or delay your return to the
United States.

You should monitor local media to stay aware of weather developments.
For further information on typhoon warnings in the West and Central
Pacific region, please consult the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in
Honolulu at http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC
<http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC> and the National Weather Service's
Central Pacific Hurricane Center, http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/cphc
<http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/cphc> , as well as Fiji?s regional
meteorological center responsible for cyclone warnings in the South
Pacific region at http://www.met.gov.fj <http://www.met.gov.fj/> .

We encourage all U.S. citizens abroad to enroll with the Department of
State?s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at travel.state.gov or
with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. By enrolling, you can
receive the nearest embassy or consulate's most recent security and
safety updates during your trip. Enrolling also ensures that we can
reach you, or your designated emergency points of contact, during an
emergency. While consular officers will do their utmost to assist you in
a crisis, please be aware that local authorities bear primary
responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their
jurisdictions.

You will find additional information on cyclones and storm preparedness
on the Bureau of Consular Affairs? Hurricane Preparedness Page. You can
receive updated information on travel in typhoon-prone regions from the
Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States
and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from other areas. If you travel in the
region, please check the website belonging to the U.S. Embassy or
Consulate with consular responsibilities for the location(s) you will be
visiting. For further information please consult the Country Specific
Information for the country or territory in question. Stay up to date by
bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the
current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide
Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on
Facebook as well.