Location: All parts of the Dominican Republic
Event: The National Hurricane Center has published updated watches and warnings for Hurricane Fiona. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Caucedo to Puerto Plata. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Frances Viejo westward to Puerto Plata. The Dominican Republic Center of Emergency Operations has issued alerts for the entire country.
The Consular Section in Santo Domingo will conduct scheduled in-person services on Tuesday, September 20 for applicants with appointments on that date. Operations at the Visa Application Center (VAC) in Galeria 360 will also resume.
In the interests of safety, we will not conduct in-person services in our offices at Consular Agencies Punta Cana and Puerto Plata until conditions have improved sufficiently to do so.
Those applicants whose appointments were cancelled on September 19 will be rescheduled for new appointments as soon as possible.
For U.S. citizens with emergencies, see contact information below.
Safety Recommendations Related to Severe Weather:
· Remain current on weather, road and water conditions through news sources such as the National Hurricane Center https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
· Contact police or other authorities if you encounter dangerous conditions and follow warnings and directions provided. If you have an emergency, call 911. The tourist police (POLITUR) central number is 809-200-3500 (assistance available in English) or via mobile app “POLITUR APP”
· Spanish language alerts are available from the website of the Dominican Emergency Operations Center (COE) http://www.coe.gob.do/ or via their mobile app “alertaCOE”
· U.S. citizen residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Program which enables the Embassy to share both emergency and routine information relevant to the Dominican Republic at https://step.state.gov/
· Visit Ready.gov for tips on emergency preparedness
· 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.
· Make sure your travel documents are up to date and easily accessible.
· If you are in an emergency and are safe, be sure to notify friends and loved ones.
· Never attempt to drive through standing water; find alternate routes.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Av. República de Colombia 57, Santo Domingo
Emergencies: 809-567-7775
Non-emergency inquiries: SDOAmericans@state.gov
Website: https://do.usembassy.gov/ or follow on Twitter and Facebook
Contact the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs 1-888-407-4747 toll-free from the United States and Canada 1-202-501-4444 from other countries or follow on Twitter and Facebook
Dominican Republic Country Information Page
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for security updates
