TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin URGENT Message for ALL U.S. Citizens ! get to ...

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

According to Laser 101.1, there is a Delta Flight going to Atlanta on Tuesday, as well as a Jetblue Flight going to JFK on Tuesday. Limit one piece of luggage. Just need your US passport or Green Card if applicable.

I would really really keep checking on the Atlanta flight. ( IF that is possible)

Wendell

An update from the U.S. Govt:

"This is confirmation that U.S. evacuation flights are continuing today. All U.S. citizens requiring evacuation should proceed immediately to the airport. Please take water and expect delays."


https://cw.usconsulate.gov/notice-u-s-citizens-aftermath-hurricane-irma-sitrep-7/

Just a warning if you take the military flights, you will be responsible for the reimbursing the United States government for the cost associated with your evacuation. You will need to sign a promissory note before boarding the aircraft.

From State Department Website:

Doesn't that beat staying in some place you want to get out of?

This is pure [censored]! The U S Air Force NEVER charges people we rescue!

We are charged with protecting and defending our citizens, ...saving them during disasters is part of our job!


Bill Santiff
LtCol, USAF, Ret.

God Bless America <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />

Bill

It's happening. Here is the Article with a picture of the form they are being asked to sign. There is also a link to the form that was obtained for a FOIA request. They say its a law going back to 1956.

If I needed to be evacuated, and was asked to sign that form, I would have just one question. Where do I send the check?

Post deleted by ruralcarrier

At the request of BillS

this discussion is diluting this thread,
i.e. what may be critical information to someone stuck on the island.

I agree...sorry. It just took me totally by surprise.

Post deleted by MotownTim

We were on one of those C130 flights late yesterday afternoon. We signed the form with no problem and if I get a bill I will happily pay. Those boys of the 103rd rescue squadron out of Islip NY are our heroes. Handled us with kidd gloves and provided the most comfortable (if loud) flight I've been on in years.

Bill and Elaine can you verify all the information that was shared about luggage etc?

Just very happy to know you're safely off the island.....congrats on that! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Elaine and Bill, happy to hear you left island, do you know if Joe and Gail are leaving, haven't heard from them since Gail said they were ok and at home. thanks

Glad you all made it out. I'm also trying to figure out the border situation. My parents are on the French side and it sounds like they cannot get to PJIA.

As there was no communication about these flights (or anything else) we just took a chance when a neighbor saw folks at the airport and took his family and got them on a plane, we just dumped contents of our safe, meds and a few electronics into a carryon on bag and backpack and headed to the airport. Were on a plane within an hour.

Saw Gail and Joe on Friday and they were doing good. No way to communicate with them and honestly did not feel safe traveling. Heavily armed Dutch Marines standing at entrance to Billy Folly Road. Only let us up when we told them we were checking on a wheelchair bound friend.

Don't know honestly about travel from French side. We had planned to go check on a friend's villa on Orient Sunday am and were told it was too dangerous and we're not taking any chances.

thanks Elaine hopefully they remain safe prayers for them an all the people on island

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I was lucky also. Had no way to receive communication so just headed to the airport and was lucky to get on a flight out. My friend still has my rental car which sustained minor damage. No idea what's going to happen with that. We passed the rental car and the building was damaged and no one there.

Glad you guys and "MotownTim" got out and thanks for the information and verification of the from being discussed.

Latest update from U.S. Govt:

"We encourage U.S. citizens who have successfully evacuated the hurricane affected areas to update their friends and family via social media. Friends and family of U.S. citizens in hurricane affected areas should continue to monitor the social media accounts of their loved ones.

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 (tfa.state.gov) 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 the British Virgin Islands, French St. Martin, Montserrat, St. Barthélemy, or St. Kitts and Nevis, use “Barbados” as the Last Known Country.
If you are entering information about a U.S. citizen in Turks and Caicos, use “The Bahamas” as the Last Known Country.
If you have difficulty using Task Force Alert, please email IrmaEmergencyUSC@state.gov and provide as much information as possible about your loved one.


• 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). If you are concerned about non-U.S. citizens in Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten, please see the Netherlands Red Cross Safe and Well website."


https://cw.usconsulate.gov/notice-u-s-citizens-aftermath-hurricane-irma-sitrep-8/

Thanks Rasputin for all your valuable information.

A new update from U.S. Govt.: (note: flights leaving as early as 8:30 a.m. !)

"Planned Flights for Wednesday, September 13:
Bring your passport and travel documents to the airport if you have them. U.S. citizens may still proceed to the airport for processing if you no longer have your documents.

Dutch St. Maarten: Several flights are planned to fly out of St. Maarten on Wednesday morning, September 13, by 0830. Flights will be boarded on a first come, first serve basis. U.S. citizens are advised to arrive at the airport as early as is safe to do so. We discourage U.S. citizens from traveling in the dark. Only service animals will be permitted to board the flights. Please 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 flights will travel from St. Maarten to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Onward travel arrangements from San Juan will be the responsibility of the traveler. We encourage you to closely monitor our Hurricane Irma Crisis Page for important updated information on available flights, and the operating status of U.S. embassies in the region."

https://cw.usconsulate.gov/notice-u-s-citizens-aftermath-hurricane-irma-sitrep-9/

A U.S. Govt. update for Thursday, Sept 14th:

Dutch St. Maarten:

The Department continues to monitor requests from U.S. citizens in Sint Maarten. Concerned citizens may contact the Department at IrmaEmergencyUSC@state.gov

The Department received information that the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ship Majesty of the Seas will make a humanitarian visit to Sint Maarten to deliver supplies and embark passengers seeking to depart the island. We understand that disembarkation will be in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Onward travel arrangements from San Juan will be the responsibility of the traveler.

In a previous evacuation, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines permitted a limited number of evacuees to embark with pets. Contact the cruise line directly with any questions at [email]stormhelp@rccl.com.[/email] Please note that the United States Department of Agriculture will inspect all animals upon entry to the United States at San Juan. Dogs require a valid rabies vaccination and certificate; cats do not require documentation. If you are not traveling with the original documentation, contact your veterinarian for a scanned copy of your certificate. If you do not have proper documentation for your pet, you may be required to quarantine the animal for a period to be determined by the entry agent. For more information, visit Puerto Rico Pet Import Requirements.

Commercial Evacuation Flights:

Delta Airlines will operate a humanitarian flight scheduled to arrive in Sint Maarten at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, September 14. The flight will return to Detroit via San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Jet Blue will operate a similar flight due to arrive at 10:30 a.m bound for John F. Kennedy airport in New York.

Additionally KLM Royal Dutch Airlines expects to provide shuttle flights to Aruba on Friday, September 15.

All airlines have indicated there may be available seats on these flights for passengers wishing to depart the island.

Post deleted by pat

Amen on the essential stuff staying focused on the Evac info

Thanks, but let's not dilute this thread by posting non-essential info.

U.S. Consulate finally issued "Sitrep 10"
which is the exact info I posted here, above, a few hours ago...

https://cw.usconsulate.gov/notice-u-s-citizens-aftermath-hurricane-irma-sitrep-10/

Evacuation update per local SXM newspaper:

https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/69...ation-on-friday

in case the above link goes down:

"~ Space for 2450 passengers ~

"PORT ST. MAARTEN--Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Majesty of the Seas cruise ship is expected to arrive on Friday to offer a humanitarian mission aimed at evacuating from St. Maarten American citizens or those with Visa Waiver/ESTA entry requirements, allowing the person to enter the U.S. territory legally.

Persons interested in evacuating and meeting the criteria should go to the St. Maarten Festival Village on Pond Island to register on Friday. Registration starts at 7:00am until 3:00pm.

Persons can also register online if you have Internet connection at: [email]stormhelp@rccl.com.[/email] Majesty of the Seas will take persons to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The vessels capacity is 2450. The evacuees are allowed to bring one piece of luggage per person as well as service pets, or a small dog or cat with their relevant travel documents.

Persons will be responsible for their own travel beyond Puerto Rico to their final destination. Everybody should meet at the Festival Village in an orderly manner and park in the public parking areas near the village. The Marines will be at the Festival Village to assist with security.

Qualifying individuals with travel documents to enter the United States of America will be taken by bus to the Port St. Maarten Cruise Facility.
Evacuees should not come to the Port directly because they will not be given access to the facility.

Evacuees should have a friend or family member remove their vehicles from the parking lot at the Festival Village because if they do not it will be towed...."

Where is "St. Maarten Festival Village on Pond Island?

St maarten festivall village is on Souliga road by the university of SXM and the Salt Pickers roundabout. Roundabout is intersection of walter nisbeth road and souliga road near big govt building. A couple of streets in from front street.

It is a plaza area created for people to set up shop selling things like shirts.

It is in long walking distance to the port 1.8km but i heard on Laser 101 that buses will be used to take people from Festival Village to the ship. They have space for over 2000 they said.

They are taking pets on this boat with proper vaccine papers for dogs. Cats dont need papers.

Separately from this ship evac, Laser 101 said the us state department wants any us citizen who is declining evacuation due to not wanting to abandon pets to contact the state dept at their website to make arrangements.

NO new news from State Dept. for Friday, Sept. 15th.

No special evacuation flights for today mentioned.
Only flights mentioned at all are possible KLM shuttle flights to Aruba. No new "Sitrep" issued as of yet.

I think for today, everything is concentrated on today's Cruise Ship evacuation, which is better explained by local newspaper: (same link as posted previously)

https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/69...ation-on-friday

OK the latest, for tomorrow, Sept. 16th! from the U.S. State Dept. for U.S. Citizens:

"Dutch Sint Maarten:

Limited humanitarian and commercial airline evacuation flights continue to operate and provide evacuation services on a case by case basis. U.S. Citizens in need of assistance should email [email]IrmaEmergencyUSC@state.gov.[/email] If you are in need of urgent emergency assistance, call 1-888-407-4747 (from the United States and Canada), +1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries).

French Saint Martin

Please see information for Sint Maarten, above. Local authorities report the border crossing between Saint Martin (French side) and Sint Maarten (Dutch side) will be closed at night. U.S. citizens may be prevented from crossing into Sint Maarten at night."

............................

I don't think that they will be issuing anymore "Sitreps" from this point forward. Without the airport really operational (IMO, but I won't explain here) there are not any easy answers for any US citizens left on island who want to be evacuated.

I hereby suggest to Mods that this thread be closed for now so it does not get diluted, but leave it pinned for a while. If there is anything new from State Dept. to post, I will notify Mods.

If anyone has any comments, please start a new thread.