This Public Announcement is being issued to alert American citizens to the risks caused by flooding in Venezuela. Periods of heavy rainfall since February 7th have caused extensive flooding in parts of Venezuela, as noted below. The rains have also caused landslides in several locations, damaging structures and blocking roads. This Public Announcement expires on March 10, 2005.

Approximately one dozen deaths have been reported as a result of the flooding conditions and hundreds of people have been stranded or forced to evacuate their homes. The areas most heavily affected are the coastal states of northern Venezuela. Local Venezuelan authorities have declared states of emergency in the following areas: Aragua state, Carabobo state (Valencia), Distrito Capital (Caracas), Miranda state (Caracas), Vargas state (International Airport Simon Bolivar), Falcón state and Yaracuy state. If the rains persist, conditions could worsen rapidly and more areas could become inaccessible.

American citizens living in or traveling to the affected areas should monitor local news and weather reports, follow the advice of local authorities, and determine whether the situation will disrupt travel arrangements. Additionally, they are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Caracas through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.

Additional information regarding Venezuela is available on the Consular Information Sheet for Venezuela at http://travel.state.gov and the Embassy's website www.embajadausa.org.ve. U.S. citizens can contact the American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas by e-mail at ACSVenezuela@state.gov or by telephone at 58-212-975-6411. Up to date information on security conditions can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.