Tropical Storm Ida is forecast to affect the Gulf Coast from Tuesday 10 November. If you're a British national who plans to be in or travel to this region in the coming week, please take note of the information provided below.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June to November and can affect the whole of the southern USA. There are a number of things you can do to prepare yourself if you live in, or are planning to travel to, this region including:

• Giving family or friends the address and telephone number of where you are staying, and calling them to let them know your plans if a hurricane is forecast to affect the area you are in.
  Paying close attention to weather reports on local TV and radio stations.
• Keeping important numbers handy such as family and friends, airlines, tour operators, travel insurance providers and that of the British Consulate.
• Ensuring that you have access to supplies of food, water, radios, torches, first aid kit etc.
• Monitor our website for the latest updates to our Travel Advice.

We encourage you to let us know where you are by registering on our on-line registration system called Locate. If something happens, we'll let you know what we are doing and how we can provide assistance to you.

• You can also monitor local and international weather updates from the National Hurricane Centre.
• The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website has the latest travel advice for the United States.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency's website contains information about how to prepare for extreme weather conditions and what to do if you are told to evacuate. It also provides a useful list of disaster supplies that will help if you live in an area affected by storms and hurricanes.

State and Local Emergency Management websites provide information on how to prepare for a storm including preparing a family disaster plan:

• Alabama Emergency Management Agency (http://ema.alabama.gov)
• Florida Division of Emergency Management (http://www.floridadisaster.org)
• Louisiana Emergency Management (http://emergency.louisiana.gov)
• Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (http://www.msema.org)

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