All US Citizens who are in St. Maarten need to register at http://travel.state.gov, click on Irma and go to Task Force. There are plans in place to safely evacuate all American citizens from the island. If you have an American loved one on the island please register them incase they do not have Internet access.

This link is better, less confusing: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/news/HurricaneIrma.html

I have been in contact with Barbara on island daily. She has internet and land line. Surprisingly.
But has no corded phone to work with land line.
We talk on WhatsApp.
irinna

This needs to be pinned to the top.

In order for the U.S. Govt. to know where you are,
in order to contact you about evacuation, one should make contact here:

https://tfa.state.gov/

A family member or friend at home in the U.S. can do it on their behalf.


.

I tried. Haven't heard from island since 2 pm. Don't know if they ran out of diesel for generator or internet went out or anything. Thanks. It's really good information. Has Laser 101 mentioned it does anyone know?

An update:

according to Tom Bossert, U.S. Homeland Security Advisor to the President, at a White House Press Conference this afternoon, said (and I am paraphrasing here, not quoting exactly):

The U.S. Dept. of State and Dept. of Defense are (jointly) in the final stages of planning to implement evacuation of U.S. citizens from St. Maarten / St. Martin.

My comments:
They are aware of Hurricane Jose, and that is complicating any implementation of their plans. We should hopefully know more from the govt. tomorrow.

In their planning, he mentioned they are estimating there is somewhere between 350 to 6,000 U.S. citizens to be evacuated!
(Therefore they are clueless to an actual number.)

Therefore I think it is important for them to know who (in terms of U.S. citizens are on island), so they can send adequate assistance (planes) for evacuation. I assume most U.S. citizens would like to get off of the island and back to the U.S. in the next week or so!

That is why I think it so important for U.S. citizens "register" or contact them as described above.

A Family member at home can do it on their behalf!
Go to the links above.

And I agree that this thread should be pinned to the top

Tom Bossert's (brief) comments about St. Maarten can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J9cAJgAlpk

but it is towards the end of the press conference, so keep listening.

Tried to tell her. Doesn't believe me. Says nothing is happening and no one cares about US Citizens.
Difficult.
I gave her web site but has no internet.
Thanks for the info. I did go on site.
Will keep trying but...
Best
irina

Laser101 did mention that some cell services including some folks using whatap on island that were working have gone down and they guess that those towers have either drained batteries or empty generator tanks.

Irina,

Last night sometime about 7:30 a lady called in to the station and mentioned the information about US Citizens needing to go to the site and register if possible, as US planes would be coming when they were able to land.

A plane with island patients needing dialysis made it out yesterday, but there were 24 more patients needing to get out for treatment.

During dinner we listened to the Prime Minister on air. He had a lot of information, and may be back to the station today...schedule permitting.
Police have arrived from Curacao and another island, to restore order.

Sort of an update, but no useful information on this link:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/state-department-criticized-for-irma-response/

Thanks for update. I did make this pinned to the top of the board and will leave it for a while.

Another U.S. Govt. source:

https://cw.usconsulate.gov/notice-u-s-citizens-aftermath-hurricane-irma/

They should sign up.

Some military/commercial evacuation flights have occurred at PJIA and more today depending on Jose.

Thanks guys.

For U.S. Citizens in French St. Martin and St. Barthelemy: There is no U.S. consular presence on the islands. U.S. citizens should follow the instructions provided by local authorities. The French Ministry of Interior has set up several public emergency lines (Tel: 01 82 71 03 37 / 0800 000 971/ 0590993900 / and 0182 71 03 37) and provided a list of shelters in St. Martin and in St. Barthelemy. Those in need of shelter should also contact: [email]Hebergement.Irma@Gmail.com.[/email]

U.S. citizens with severe medical conditions should contact the local gendarmerie.

We also have no consular presence on the British Virgin Islands. There is a list of available shelters on the Royal Virgin Islands Police Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/rvipolice/photo...e=3&theater

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 Hurricane Irma”

If you are entering information about a U.S. citizen in Dutch St. Maarten, Anguilla, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, or St. Eustatius use “Netherlands” as the Last Known Country

If you are entering information about a U.S. citizen in French St. Martin, Montserrat, St. Barthélemy, or St. Kitts and Nevis, use “Barbados” as the Last Known Country.

If you have difficulty using Task Force Alert, here are other options:

Email IrmaEmergencyUSC@state.gov and provide as much information as possible (at a minimum, please provide their full name, gender, and last known location within country, if known)

Call us at 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. & Canada), +1-202-501-4444 (from Overseas)

https://bb.usembassy.gov/irma-update4/

This situation is a reminder anytime you travel outside the US, US Citizens & Nationals should register your trip with step.state.gov to ensure the State department knows your whereabouts and how they can get a hold of you in emergencies.

I just got a text for the GM at Mary's Boon that the USA is really stepping up. Five big Army planes have landed to get USA Citizens and he was rushing to the airport with the last of his few Guests to get them out. He also "heard" Canada was sending a plane. The property really did "ok" considering the other much worse damage all around. It still a very very bad situation however.

In addition, I always pack this when I travel. It has gotten us through storms and blizzards.

Hand crank or solar to charge the battery, and your cell phone or tablet.
Great when you are without electricity. Once a cell tower comes up you are ready.

https://midlandusa.com/product/er210-compact-emergency-crank-wx-radio/

My wife and I were just evacuated on a C130 military plane today from SXM. The island is devastated and the storm was terrifying. The island looks like a war zone. There are many more people that are awaiting evacuation. I would think that the island will need at least 2-3 years to recover.

Wow, glad you are ok and were able to get out.

From the U.S. State Dept:

“The U.S. Consulate in Curacao wishes to remind U.S. citizens to continue to shelter in place if in overseas area impacted by Hurricane Irma & Hurricane Jose unless you have confirmed evacuation plans. If you have not already done so, please provide your location information to the U.S. Department of State by visiting tfa.state.gov or calling 202-501-4444.”


https://cw.usconsulate.gov/notice-u-s-citizens-aftermath-hurricane-irma-sitrep-5/

Go to the Dutch-side AIRPORT (PJIA) by Noon on Monday, Sept 11th if you want to be evacuated!

"The Department of State is working with the Department of Defense to continue evacuation flights on September 11. U.S. citizens desiring to leave should proceed to the airport to arrive by noon on Monday carrying their U.S. passport or other proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. Passengers may be allowed carry on one small bag. Medications and any other essential items should be carried on your person.

Note, passengers arriving at St Maarten Airport should expect long wait times. There is no running water at the airport and very limited shelter.


The Department of State has received information that Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ship near the port of Sint Maarten has departed. Contact the cruise line directly with any questions at [email]stormhelp@rccl.com.[/email]

U.S. citizens in need of evacuation on Sint Maarten should shelter in place until Monday, listen to 101.1 FM radio for updates."


https://cw.usconsulate.gov/notice-u-s-citizens-aftermath-hurricane-irma-sitrep-6/

note: a Mod should pin this

I was airlifted out yesterday. In Puerto Rico now.

This thread is old and probably should be locked.

More current thread is:

http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...e=0&fpart=1

Will do and I will unpin it also.

Thanks.