U.S. Tells Americans Not To Go to Cuba While It Recovers from Hurricane Irma 

                                                                                                           On On September 13, the U.S. State Department issued a “Cuba Travel Warning.”[1]

It stated that the Department “advises U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Cuba while Hurricane Irma recovery efforts are underway.  Large parts of the country, including many areas of the capital Havana, are without power and running water. Transportation is difficult and many roads remain impassable due to downed trees and power lines. in Havana. . . . Outside the capital, north central Cuba suffered severe damage and should be avoided until further notice. On September 6, the Department authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. government employees and their family members due to Hurricane Irma. “

“While Cuban authorities are working to clear the debris, it will be several days before roads are fully open.”

Separately the website for the U.S. Embassy in Havana has a September 13 statement that “Major roads are now mostly open in Havana. . . . The area around the U.S. Embassy in Havana suffered flood damage, and communication systems are down. Do not attempt to come to the Embassy seeking assistance at this time. [2]

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[1] U.S. State Dep’t, Cuba Travel Warning (Sept. 13, 2017). Previous posts have discussed Irma’s destruction on the island: Hurricane Irma Hits Cuba (Sept. 10, 2017); Update on Hurricane Irma’s Impact on Cuba (Sept. 12, 2017); Cuba’s Crumbling Infrastructure Battered by Irma (Sept. 13, 2017)(comment to 9/11/17 post).

[2] U.S. Embassy to Cuba, Security Message: Hurricane Irma Update # 4 (Sept. 13, 2017).