State Department Warning on Hanna and Ike

The U.S. State Department posted the following warning on Tuesday:

Tropical Storms Hanna and Ike

September 02, 2008

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).