U.S. Issues Travel Warnings Following Hurricanes Irma and Jose
News Staff : Sep 11, 2017
U.S. Department of State
Everything you need to know about current situations and travel to the Caribbean.
(Washington, DC)—[U.S. Department of State] The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid travel to The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, and the Eastern Caribbean due to continuing hazardous conditions in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. We continue to monitor the track of Hurricane Jose. (Photo: Irma's "unprecedented destruction in the Caribbean/via ABCColumbia.com)
The safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas is a top priority of the Department of State. The hurricanes brought significant rainfall and wind resulting in life-threatening flooding, mudslides, and storm surges. Disruptions to travel and services have been reported throughout the path of the hurricane. U.S. citizens should follow the emergency instructions provided by local authorities.
We urge U.S. citizens in the impacted area who are safe to contact their loved ones directly and/or update their social media status.
We recommend U.S. citizens who were unable to depart in advance of the hurricane's arrival to shelter in place in a secure location.
If you are in the affected area and need immediate emergency services, please contact local authorities.
Local numbers for police and emergency services:
• Cuba: 106
• Haiti: +509-3838-11 or +509-3733-3640
• The Dominican Republic: 911
• The Bahamas: 919 or 911
• St. Maarten (Dutch side): 911
• St. Martin and St. Barthélemy: The French Ministry of Interior has set up a public line emergency line: Tel: 01 82 71 03 37.
• St. Eustatius: 911 (police) and 910 or 912 (medical)
• Saba: 911 (police) and 912 (medical)
For U.S. Citizens in Dutch St. Maarten: The Department of State is working with the Department of Defense to continue evacuation flights on September 11. U.S. citizens desiring to leave should proceed to the airport to arrive as early as is safe to do so ... carrying their U.S. passport or other proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. Passengers may be allowed to carry on one small bag. Medications and any other essential items should be carried on your person.
Communication infrastructure has been heavily damaged. There is no U.S. consular presence on the island. U.S. citizens should follow the instructions provided by local authorities and call 911 locally if they require immediate assistance. Shelters are available at the following locations:
1 New Testament Baptist Church in Philipsburg;
2 Sister Marie-Laurence Primary School in Middle Region;
3 Belvedere Community Center in Belvedere;
4 Dutch Quarter Community Center in Dutch Quarter;
5 Rupert I Maynard Youth Community Center St. Peters;
6 NIPA National Institute for Professional Advancement Cay Hill;
7 Christian Fellowship Church Across from Pineapple Pete's Cole Bay.
For U.S. Citizens in French St. Martin: There is no U.S. consular presence on the island. Communication with St. Martin is slowly being reestablished, and we continue to reach out to French authorities to determine what additional relief and rescue efforts are underway and to identify options for U.S. citizens. Local authorities continue to recommend all affected by the storm to shelter in place. The French Ministry of Interior has set up a public line emergency line (Tel: 01 82 71 03 37) and provided a list of shelters in St. Martin and in St. Barthelemy. As soon as we have more information regarding St. Martin and assistance to U.S. citizens there, we will update this website to keep U.S. citizens affected by the storm informed.
For U.S. Citizens in Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and St. Barthelemy: Communication with these islands is slowly being reestablished, and we continue to reach out to the British and French authorities to determine what additional relief and rescue efforts are underway. Local authorities continue to recommend all affected by the storm to shelter in place. If you need food or water, you should seek local assistance where possible.
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