Due to the effects from Tropical Storm Franklin to affect Dominican Republic August 2023, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — if this region is in your travel plans over the next few days.
Tropical Storm Franklin to Affect Dominican Republic: August 2023 Travel Alert
Maximum sustained winds of Tropical Storm Franklin — which is currently approximately 240 miles south of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and moving west at a speed of six miles per hour — are at 50 miles per hour; and landfall is expected to occur as a tropical storm somewhere on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic sometime in the late evening hours tomorrow, Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
Up to as much as 15 inches of rain can fall in local areas of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico and the Turks and Caicos Islands are also expected to be affected by Tropical Storm Franklin.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Dominican Republic entire south coast from Haiti border eastward to Isla Saona
- Haiti entire south coast from Anse d’Hainault eastward to the border Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- Dominican Republic entire north and east coast from the border Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic eastward and southward to Isla Saona
- Turks and Caicos Islands
A storm surge of up to three feet, dangerous rough surf, localized flash flooding, strong rip currents, windy conditions, and the aforementioned significant precipitation are all possible. Electrical power outages are likely to occur; and an isolated tornado may be possible.
After passing over the Dominican Republic, Tropical Storm Franklin is expected to strengthen to a hurricane — and it may take a path that could affect Bermuda.
As the waters of the Atlantic Ocean have been warmer than usual and no significant tropical storm systems have developed in 2023 that adversely affected populated areas, the fact that no fewer than five systems have formed and are currently active in the Atlantic Basin is of no surprise.
Flight Waivers, Delays, and Cancellations
If you are traveling to the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, Haiti, and Puerto Rico over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this tropical weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are two airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this tropical weather system:
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for Providenciales, Punta Cana, Santiago, and Santo Domingo for Tuesday, August 22, 2023 through Wednesday, August 23, 2023; and Sunday, August 27, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued travel alerts for:
- Punta Cana for Tuesday, August 22, 2023 through Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
- Providenciales for Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
Final Boarding Call
Expect travel waivers to be issued by additional airlines as Tropical Storm Franklin closes in on the Dominican Republic.
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.
