Hurricane Irene Approaches Haiti

August 22, 2011

This message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens that a hurricane watch has been issued for the North coast of Haiti from Le Mole St. Nicholas eastward to the Dominican Republic border as a result of Hurricane Irene.  Heavy rains may affect other areas of Haiti beginning as early as Monday, August 22, 2011. A watch means that hurricane conditions are possible in the next 36 to 48 hours.  The Haiti meteorological center has issued an orange alert and departmental level civil protection units have been contacted and informed. 

American citizens are urged to take all precautions (please see the Embassy website at http:\\haiti.usembassy.gov, U.S. citizens, Emergency pages for recommended preparations) and to monitor radio, television and internet weather sites for updates. The American citizens' Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/PaP.ACS) and twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/ACSPAP) will also be used to provide updates. 

In preparation, U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all time (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in safe, waterproof locations. We also suggest that U.S. citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts. Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found athttp://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_2915.html, and on the “Natural Disasters” page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. 

U.S. citizens planning travel to Haiti during this week should consult the website as well as their airline carrier. Updated information on travel in Haiti may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the U.S. Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located at Tabarre 41, Boulevard du 15 Octobre, Tabarre, Haiti; telephone 509-2229-8000; after hours emergency telephone 509-3464-3998; ACS unit fax 509-2229-8027; e-mailacspap@state.gov; web page http://Haiti.usembassy.gov