This Emergency Message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Taiwan that the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and Taiwan Central Weather Bureau (CWB) are tracking the development of Typhoon Chan-Hom, currently centered about 540 miles east-southeast of Taipei. The CWB issued a sea warning Thursday morning and is likely to issue a land alert this evening.
It appears increasingly likely that the storm will pass over waters off northern Taiwan between Friday and Saturday before heading away from Taiwan. The CWB is projecting that Typhoon Chan-Hom could have a significant impact on northern Taiwan as it continues to gather strength, and has warned the public of danger from torrential rain, flooding, storm surge, and landslides on the northern and eastern parts of the island.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Typhoon Chan-Hom has a maximum wave height of 30 feet and sustained winds of nearly 104 mph, with higher gusts possible. JTWC forecasts that Typhoon Chan-hom will continue to strengthen as it tracks northwestward over the next 72 hours, reaching a peak intensity of approximately 132 mph before making landfall over mainland Asia on July 11. Storm intensity and projected path are subject to change.
We will continue to monitor Typhoon Chan-Hom‘s track and will issue updated messages as needed. Please monitor the typhoon’s track by listening to the radio, watching television, or monitoring Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau website in English. International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) provides regular weather bulletins in English on 100.7 FM in the Taipei and Kaohsiung areas and on 100.1 FM in Taichung. Locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. Carry your travel documents at all times (e.g. U.S. passport, birth certificate, picture IDs, 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 typhoons and storm preparedness may be found on the Natural Disasters 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 Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Please continue to monitor the American Institute in Taiwan’s website for updated information. Please consult the Country Specific Information for Taiwan, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Internet website where the Worldwide Caution, Taiwan Specific Information, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes or Google Play to have travel information at your fingertips.
All U.S. citizens in Taiwan are urged to enroll online at the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program website. Registering gives U.S citizens access to updated information on travel and security within Taiwan and makes it easier for AIT to contact citizens in case of emergency.
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. 88, Chenggong 2nd Rd, Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung City 80661; telephone (07) 335-5006; fax (07) 338-0551; email amcit-ait-t@state.gov; after hours emergency (02) 2162-2000; website http://kaohsiung.ait.org.tw/consular-service.html.
