The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the approach of Hurricane Matthew.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC; www.nhc.noaa.gov) reports that Hurricane Matthew is headed for The Bahamas and a hurricane watch has been issued for parts of Haiti and Cuba.  A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. Hurricane storm conditions in terms of wind are expected to reach the area by October 5.  U.S. citizens residing and traveling in coastal areas in this region should be alert to flooding. 

Given the approaching hurricane, there is limited time available for a safe departure. The Department of State has authorized family members of U.S. government employees to depart The Bahamas in advance of Hurricane Matthew.  We recommend U.S. citizens depart The Bahamas if possible and work with commercial air carriers to leave prior to the arrival of the hurricane.  Airports will close once conditions deteriorate and safe travel is not possible.  We recommend those citizens who are unable to depart to shelter in place in a secure location. 

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. 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.  

For further information:

• See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Bahamas Country Specific Information.
  
  
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  
  
• Contact the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas, located at 42 Queen Street (across from the British Colonial Hilton Hotel), Nassau; telephone: 242-322-1181; after hours emergency telephone: 242-357-7004; ACS unit fax: 242-356-7174; e-mail: [email protected] ; web page: http://nassau.usembassy.gov. The Turks & Caicos Consular Agency is located at 2 Venture Ct., Grace Bay Suite 102E, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. The Consular Agent is LeShelle Tull-Thomas (649-232-5713, [email protected]).
  
  
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
  
  
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