HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

November 5, 2010. Government Warning Issued for Haiti

SOURCE: U.S. Department of State

U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince released the following Warden Message on November 4, 2010:

This Warden Message is being issued to notify U.S. citizens residing in and traveling to Haiti that the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida has issued a Hurricane Warning for Haiti. Hurricane conditions are expected within the next 24 hours and may include tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rain. These conditions make outside activities difficult or dangerous and preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

The Department of State issued a Travel Alert November 2nd advising U.S. citizens with plans to travel to Haiti to defer their travel until after the storm has passed.

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. The Embassy also suggests that U.S. citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts. The U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor Hurricane Tomas' track, and will issue updated messages. U.S. citizens are encouraged to monitor hurricane status via the NOAA website at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.

Haitian Government authorities, headed by the Direction de la Protection Civile (DPC), coordinate hurricane assistance at the Department level in cooperation with the Haitian Red Cross, MINUSTAH, the World Food Program, and other international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These groups work together to provide shelter, medical attention, emergency food and supplies, and evacuation during a hurricane. The Haitian Red Cross is the first responder during natural disasters. U.S. citizens in need of assistance are advised to first seek help from the emergency services established in their immediate areas.

The Embassy does not at this time foresee the need to evacuate U.S. citizens from Haiti.