URGENT UPDATE: Evacuation of US Citizens from Dominca

We urge U.S. citizens in the impacted areas who are safe to contact their loved ones directly
and/or update their social media status. If you are in the affected area and need immediate
emergency services, please contact local authorities.
For U.S. citizens wishing to depart Dominica, please review the following options:
Ferries: Commercial ferries are available from Cox and Company, departing from Portsmouth,
Dominica. Cox and Company provided the following schedule, but it should be confirmed with
them at the Cox and Company website because the situation is changing daily. Passengers must
purchase tickets through Cox and Company.

 Tuesday, September 26: Cox and Company ferry arriving in Portsmouth, Dominica, at
9:30 a.m. and going to Fort de France, Martinique.
Douglas-Charles Airport: Helicopter evacuation flights are planned for Tuesday, September 26
from Douglas-Charles Airport to Martinique. Anyone wishing to depart should be at the airport
as early as 9:00 a.m. Be prepared for long waits. Flights will leave as conditions allow.
Canefield Airport: Helicopter evacuation flights are planned for Tuesday, September 26, from
Canefield Airport to Douglas-Charles Airport and on to Martinique. Arrive at Canefield Airport
between 7:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Be prepared for long waits. Space on the helicopters is on a
first come, first-served basis after the young, elderly, and those with medical issues are boarded.

The following applies to all U.S. government coordinated transports: U.S. citizens should
bring only hand luggage and their passports, any medications and essential items should be
carried on your person. No pets can be evacuated. Only service animals will be permitted
to board the flight, and strict luggage restrictions will be in place. Evacuees may not bring
weapons of any type. Boarding priority will be given to children, elderly, and persons in
need of medical assistance. We will make every effort to accommodate special family
circumstances. Please note that shelter, food, and water may be unavailable at the airport
and sea port. We discourage U.S. citizens from traveling in the dark.
U.S. citizens with urgent medical needs and special considerations that have no ability to depart
via commercial options should email us at [email protected]. Provide as much
information as possible, including:

 Contact information (Cell, Satphone, WhatsApp, etc.)
 Exact location description (provide geo coordinates if possible)
 Medical issues / other circumstances for consideration
 Personal identifying details (Name, DOB, etc.)
 Number of people in group and their personal details
Further details may be updated on this website and broadcast on the following radio stations:
 AM Radio 900
 FM 95 (WICE QFM)

 FM 88.1 (DBS)
Ross University: We are aware that there are many U.S. citizens associated with Ross
University in Portsmouth, Dominica. Ross University has arranged and paid for travel for
students off the island and onward to their final destination, as well as lodging for them once
they reach St Lucia. The University has established a 24-hour hotline (1-800- 488-8790) for
inquiries and is arranging the evacuation of its faculty, students, and families.
State Department evacuees are required to reimburse the U.S. government for their evacuation as
well as organize further travel onwards from their safe haven. At the moment, the safe haven is
Martinique with outward flights that are overwhelmed by evacuees from Dominica. Onward
travel arrangements will be the responsibility of the traveler.
U.S. citizens should follow the emergency instructions provided by local authorities. Monitor
local and regional reports for updates on the situation.

Unaccompanied minors: At this time, minors are not permitted to travel unaccompanied.
Pets: If you wish to leave Dominica with your pet, you will need to use commercial or private
transportation.
Please go to FEMA's website, www.fema.gov, for information about response efforts in the U.S.
territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas).
Contact us:
You can inform the Department of State about U.S. citizens affected by the hurricane who
require emergency assistance through the following ways:

 Visit Task Force Alert and select “2017 Storm Maria”
o If you are entering information about a U.S. citizen in Dutch St. Maarten,
Anguilla, Saba, or St. Eustatius use “Netherlands” as the Last Known Country.
o If you are entering information about a U.S. citizen in French St. Martin,
Montserrat, St. Barthélemy, or St. Kitts and Nevis, Guadeloupe, Dominica,
Martinique, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, or
the British Virgin Islands use “Barbados” as the Last Known Country.
o If you have difficulty using Task Force Alert, please email
[email protected] and provide as much information as possible
about your loved one

 Email [email protected] and provide as much information as possible (at
a minimum, please provide the full name, gender, and last known location of the U.S.
citizen)
 Call us at 1-888- 407-4747 (from the U.S. & Canada), +1-202- 501-4444 (from Overseas)

Evacuees from Hurricane Irma should contact Accounts Receivable Division in Charleston for
information about repayment of loans. Evacuees can send an email to [email protected], or
call from within the U.S. and Canada: 1-800- 521-2116. International callers can call 843-746-
0592.

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1 Comment

  1. Virginia
    September 26, 2017

    Travel.gc.ca – Travel advice from the Government of Canada

    Dominica: Canadian military and US flight arriving today, Sept 26 at the DOM airport to evacuate Canadians to various destinations. Canadians wishing to leave should present themselves at the airport, if it is safe to do so, as soon as possible. Limited luggage, no pets, travel document required. Flight schedule subject to delay, remain at the airport. US military are conducting helicopter evacuations from Canefield Airport to Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM). You must arrive at Canefield Airport before 1:30pm. First come, first-served [email protected]

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