BREAKING: State Department Issues Emergency Warning

On Thursday, the Stat department warns U.S. citizens to avoid travel to The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, and parts of the Eastern Caribbean due to Hurricane Irma.

“The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Cuba due to the approach of Hurricane Irma, a storm with Category 5 winds that will begin affecting the eastern provinces of Cuba by the early morning hours of Friday, September 8. The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch for the eastern half of Cuba as well as a tropical storm warning for Cuba’s northeastern coast due to significant rainfall and wind that may result in life-threatening flooding, flash flooding, mudslides, and storm surges,” the statement reads.

Here’s the entire statement:

#Cuba Emergency Msg: We urge US citizens to depart Cuba if possible. Work with commercial air carriers to leave prior to arrival of #Irma. pic.twitter.com/V1lcsHBh24

— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) September 7, 2017

We urge U.S. citizens in the impacted area 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.

#