Weather Alert: Hurricane Preparedness Reminder from the US Embassy in Santo Domingo
Locationfromn: The entire Dominican Republic
Event: The State Department reminds U.S. citizens to stay alert to weather updates during the 2024 hurricane season, which lasts through November.
The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and will extend until November 30, 2024. The Atlantic Ocean region has already reported nine hurricanes and one tropical storm affecting our region, with approximately seven weeks left in the official season .
What Can You Do to Be Prepared?
Be Ready:
- Sign up for the new Traveler Registration Program (STEP) to receive security updates. Encourage your friends and family to register as well if they plan to travel outside the United States.
- Please note that in the event of a hurricane in any country, you may not be able to leave the area for 24-48 hours or more. Roads may be washed away or obstructed by debris, negatively affecting access to airports and land routes out of affected areas. Looting and sporadic violence frequently occur following natural disasters, and security personnel may not always be available to provide assistance.
- Get travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses. If the situation warrants evacuation from abroad, the US State Department could work with commercial airlines to ensure that US citizens can depart as safely and efficiently as possible. United States law states that any costs associated with an evacuation are the responsibility of the person being evacuated.
- Organize a case of essential items in a waterproof container, including: Bottled water, any medications you take regularly, non-perishable food, battery-operated radio, essential documents – especially passports.
- Update and review your family’s contingency plans. All US citizens should have evacuation plans that do not depend on US government assistance.
- Visit the websites of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and NOAA to see their instructions:
o https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
o http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php
Stay Informed:
- Monitor the local radio and press, the Emergency Operations Center (COE) ( or by its “alertaCOE” application), and the National Hurricane Center (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ ) to stay abreast of climate developments.
- Inform your friends and family about your location and whereabouts. Please remain in close contact with your tour operator, hotel staff and local officials for instructions during the weather emergency.
- Additional information on hurricane and storm preparedness can be found on the Department’s website at “Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones .”
Assistance:
- United States Embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Av. República de Colombia 57, Santo Domingo
Emergencies: 1-809-567-7775
Non-urgent consultations:[email protected]
Website:https://do.usembassy.gov/or follow usTwitter y Facebook
- VisitReady.Gov for information on emergency preparedness
