Emergency Messages
August 22, 2012
This urgent message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Haiti that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the Haiti-Meteorological Service have issued red alerts for Tropical Storm Isaac, which is predicted to strengthen to a Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane and impact Haiti with hurricane force winds and large-scale flooding, likely within the next 48 hours. The National Hurricane Center predicts 8 to 12 inches of rain on average due to the storm in Haiti, with isolated areas receiving up to 20 inches of rain, increasing danger of flooding and mudslides.
The center of Tropical Storm Isaac should move through the Leeward Islands on the evening of Wednesday August 22, and pass near or south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday. It is forecast that the storm may become a hurricane by Thursday evening and approach the Dominican Republic and Haiti Thursday night/ Friday morning.
Currently, Isaac is at tropical storm force, with maximum sustained winds are near 45 miles per hour with higher gusts. U.S. citizens in Haiti should monitor the progress of Isaac by visiting the National Hurricane Center's website.
The U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor the tropical storm’s track, and will issue updated messages. U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter away from flood-prone areas, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all times (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 on our “Hurricane Season-Know Before You Go” webpage, and on the “Natural Disasters” page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. 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).
Please continue to monitor the Embassy’s website for updated information. Please consult the Country Specific Information for Haiti, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
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-mail acspap@state.gov; embassy website.