This
Travel Warning is being issued to urge U.S. citizens to carefully consider the
risks of travel to the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands at this time
due to the threat posed by Tropical Storm Hanna and Tropical Storm Ike.
The Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and
eligible family members of the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, The Bahamas. The storm
currently is affecting the Turks and Caicos and is predicted to pass over The
Bahamas as a category 1 hurricane during the September 3 – 4 timeframe.
Tropical Storm Ike is expected to impact the Bahamas on September 6 - 9, 2008.
Updates on the storms’ tracks and intensities can be found at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.
The
U.S. Embassy in Nassau will be available early on Wednesday, September 3 for
emergency American Citizens Services, but may suspend operations without
notice. U.S. citizens in the central and northern Bahamas Islands
likely to be impacted by Tropical Storms Hanna and Ike who do not have access
to adequate and safe shelter should consider departing while commercial flights
are still available. Seating capacity on commercial flights is extremely
limited. Flights into and out of Nassau and Freeportinternational
airports may be suspended at any time.
If
staying in The Bahamas, U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter, monitor
media reports, and follow all official instructions. Visitors to The
Bahamas should be familiar with their hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans,
policies, or procedures. Please see the Hurricane Travel Alert regarding
hurricane season, dated May 30, 2008, on the Department's website at http://travel.state.gov
and http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurricane_season/hurricane_season_3795.html
U.S.
citizens should carry their travel documents (e.g., U.S. passport, birth
certificate, picture ID's, etc.) with them at all times or secure them by
placing them in a safe, waterproof location. Additionally, all U.S. citizens in
the area are reminded to stay in contact with friends and family in the United
States to keep them apprised of their current whereabouts.
Americans
living or traveling in The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are
encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's
travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.
Updated
information on travel in The Bahamas may be obtained from the Department of
State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 1-202-501-4444
from abroad. For further information please consult the Country Specific
Information for The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands available via the
Internet at http://travel.state.gov
or contact the U.S. Embassy in Nassau at(
242)
322-1181, after
hours (
242-357-7004).
