June 20, 2016
Ask the Consul
Monday-July 20-2016
Prepare for Hurricane Season
The Dominican Republic hurricane season runs from the beginning of June through the end of November. In the case of a hurricane, it could take 24-48 hours for departure. Minor storms can develop into hurricanes quickly. U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, the Embassy website, do.usembassy.gov and other media to remain aware of weather developments in their area. Also, for more information, visit the National Weather Service website at www.nhc.noaa.gov.
You can prepare in advance for hurricane season. Consider having the following available: bottled water, non-perishable food items, a battery-powered radio, and prescription medications. You should store your identity documents in a waterproof container or bag and have this readily available as well. U.S. citizens should make sure their passports are not expired.
In the event of an evacuation, the U.S. State Department will work with commercial airlines to assist U.S. citizens as much as possible. The U.S. Government does not provide free transportation for evacuations.
Take a STEP to stay informed!
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling or living abroad to register with their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Each STEP enrollee automatically receives the most current information the Embassy has available about the country in which they are traveling or living. All STEP enrollees also benefit from real-time updates from the Department of State, such as Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts. Once a U.S. citizen is connected via STEP, the Embassy is able to better assist in the case of a personal emergency, such as a lost or stolen passport, as well as in the case of large-scale emergencies, such as political unrest or natural disasters.
To enroll in STEP, please visit https://step.state.gov/step.
