British holidaymakers issued US and Mexico travel warning as conditions become ‘life-threatening’

by Admin
October 9, 2024

UK holidaymakers have been issued travel advice for various regions in Mexico and the United States as they have been told to exercise caution when visiting certain areas.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has highlighted specific states and cities where all but essential travel is discouraged, while also noting exceptions for particular routes and destinations.

These warnings come as Hurricane Milton threatens the Yucatan Peninsula, adding an additional layer of concern for travellers.

The FCDO’s guidance aims to ensure the safety of British citizens abroad by providing detailed information on areas to avoid and offering advice on how to navigate potentially dangerous situations.

The foreign office is urging travellers to check for updates

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The warning also extends to the United States, with the FCDO warning: “Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida on the night of 9 October or morning of 10 October with tropical force winds affecting the west coast from the morning of 9 October.

“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and high winds on the west coast and heavy rainfall and high winds are expected to impact large parts of Florida.”

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to several Mexican states, including Baja California, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.

However, exceptions are made for specific cities and routes within these states. For instance, in Baja California, travellers can use the Cross Border Xpress bridge at Tijuana airport and the federal toll road 1D.

In Chihuahua, the city of Chihuahua itself and the Copper Canyon rail route remain accessible. Similarly, the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlán in Sinaloa, and certain highways in Tamaulipas, are deemed safe for travel.

The FCDO also told visitors not to travel to parts of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero, and Chiapas unless necessary.

In Michoacán, exceptions include the city of Morelia and the town of Pátzcuaro. Jalisco’s northern municipalities are flagged as areas to avoid. Colima is largely off-limits, save for Manzanillo city.

In Guerrero, only Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa accessed by air is deemed safe. For Chiapas, travellers are warned to avoid areas within 40km of the Guatemalan border and specific sections of Federal Highway 199.

The FCDO’s statement reads: “Damaging hurricane-force winds are expected across portions of the Yucatan Peninsula.

“A life-threatening storm surge with damaging waves is also like along portion of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.”

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Travellers are strongly advised to monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow instructions from local authorities and tour operators. This includes heeding any evacuation orders.

It said: “You should closely monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator, including any evacuation orders.

“See the tropical cyclones page for advice about how to prepare for travel during hurricane season and what to do ahead of a storm. “