Weather Alert: Countrywide (Dominican Republic), Hurricane Preparedness Reminder

Weather Alert: U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo Hurricane Preparedness Reminder 

Location: Countrywide 

Event: The Department of State reminds U.S. citizens to stay alert to weather updates during the 2024 hurricane season, which lasts through November. 

Hurricane Season in the Atlantic began June 1 and runs through November 30, 2024.  The Atlantic Ocean region has already reported nine hurricanes with one Tropical Storm affecting our region, with approximately seven weeks to the official season remaining. 

What Can You Do To Be Prepared? 

Get Ready: 

• Make sure you have enrolled in the New Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through step.state.gov for security updates. The enrollment system has changed, and enrollments in the previous system are not automatically transferred. Encourage your friends and family to register as well if they plan to travel outside of the United States.

• Be aware that in the event of a hurricane in any country, you may not be able to depart the area for 24-48 hours or longer.  Roads may be washed out or obstructed by debris, adversely affecting access to airports and land routes out of affected areas.  Looting and sporadic violence in the aftermath of natural disasters is not uncommon, and security personnel may not always be available to assist. 

• Obtain travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses.  If a situation requires an evacuation from an overseas location, the U.S. Department of State may work with commercial airlines to ensure that U.S. citizens can depart as safely and efficiently as possible.  U.S. law requires that any evacuation costs are your responsibility. 

• Organize a kit of essential items in a waterproof container, including:  Bottled water, any medications taken regularly, non-perishable food, battery-powered radio, and vital documents, especially passports. 

• Update and review your family’s contingency plans.  All U.S. citizens should have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance. 

• Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and NOAA website to view their tips: 

o   https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes   

o   http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php   

Stay Informed: 

• Monitor local radio, local media, the Dominican Emergency Operations Cetner (COE) (through http://www.coe.gob/do/  or via their mobile app “alertaCOE”), and the National Hurricane Center (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/  ) to be aware of weather developments. 

• Inform your friends and family of your whereabouts and safety both during and after a storm. Remain in close contact with your tour operator, hotel staff and local officials for evacuation instructions during a weather emergency.

• Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness can be found on the Department’s “Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones  ” webpage. 

Assistance: 

• U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo 

Av. República de Colombia 57, Santo Domingo    

Emergencies: 1-809-567-7775 

Non-emergency inquiries: SDOAmericans@state.gov 

Website: https://do.usembassy.gov/ or follow on Twitter   and Facebook   

• Dominican Republic Country Information Page   

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)   for security updates. 

• Visit Ready.Gov   for information on emergency preparedness.