This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in the Dominican Republic that the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
National Hurricane Center is reporting that a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the extreme eastern portion of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona (including Punto Cana) to Cabo Engano. Tropical Storm Omar is expected to gradually strengthen through Thursday. A Tropical Storm Watch is also in effect for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch means that Tropical Storm conditions are possible within 36 hours.
The Dominican National Office of Meteorology (ONAMET) has issued an advisory warning people living near rivers, canyons, and ravines in affected areas to take precautions against possible flooding and landslides.
U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, the National Weather Service at
National Hurricane Center, and local media to stay aware of any weather developments in their area. For official information from the Dominican Government regarding weather conditions, please visit the ONAMET website at
Onamet - Oficina Nacional de Meteorología - República Dominicana. The Dominican Emergency Operations Center (COE) website can be found at
Inicio - COE Minor tropical storms can develop into hurricanes very quickly, limiting the time available for a safe evacuation. Travelers should apprise family and friends in the United States of their whereabouts, and keep in close contact with their tour operator, hotel staff, and local officials for evacuation instructions in the event of a weather emergency. Travelers should also protect their travel and identity documents against loss or damage, as the need to replace lost documentation could hamper or delay return to the United States.
U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the Department of State’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens can receive the Embassy’s most recent security and safety updates during their trip. Registration also ensures that U.S. citizens can be reached should an emergency arise either abroad or at home. While Consular Officers will do their utmost to assist Americans in a crisis, travelers should always be aware that local authorities bear primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions.
For emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy. The Consular Section of the Embassy is located at the corner of Cesar Nicolas Penson Street and Máximo Gómez Avenue, Santo Domingo, D.R.; telephone 809-731-4294; after hours emergency telephone 809-221-2171; ACS unit fax 809-689-6142; e-mail acssantodom@state.gov; website Embajada de los Estados Unidos en Santo Domingo, República Dominicana.
Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found on the Hurricane Season 2008 page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at:
Hurricane Season 2008 or in the “Hurricane Season-Know Before You Go” pamphlet at:
Hurricane Season - Know Before You Go. Updated information on travel in hurricane-prone regions 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. Travelers to the region are encouraged to check the Internet site of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with consular responsibilities for the territory they will be visiting (accessible via
US Dept of State - Websites of US Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions). For further information please consult the Country Specific Information Sheet for the country or territory in question, available via the Internet at
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U.S. Citizen Alert: Tropical Storm Omar
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