As the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos Islands, Haiti, and Puerto Rico will experience the effects from Tropical Storm Franklin, a travel waiver update August 2023 includes more airlines. You may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — if these regions are in your travel plans over the next few days.
Tropical Storm Franklin Travel Waiver Update: August 2023
Maximum sustained winds of Tropical Storm Franklin — which is currently approximately 200 miles south southwest of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and moving north northwest at a speed of six miles per hour — are at 40 miles per hour; and landfall is expected to occur as a tropical storm somewhere near La Cienaga on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic as soon as sometime during the late evening hours of tonight, Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
Although this weather system is a minimal tropical storm, its slow forward movement may cause up to as much as 15 inches of rain to 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 the border Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic eastward to Cabo Engano
- Dominican Republic entire north coast from the border Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic eastward to Cabo Engano
- 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:
- Turks and Caicos Islands
A storm surge of up to three feet, 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 weather system passes west of the island before initially heading towards the northeastern United States.
Flight Waivers, Delays, and Cancellations
If you are traveling to the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos Islands, 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 nine airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this tropical weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Santiago, and Santo Domingo for Tuesday, August 22, 2023 through Wednesday, August 23, 2023; and Friday, August 25, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- 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.
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Santiago, and Santo Domingo for Tuesday, August 22, 2023 through Wednesday, August 23, 2023; and Wednesday, August 30, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for Providenciales and Punta Cana for Tuesday, August 22, 2023 through Wednesday, August 23, 2023; and Wednesday, September 6, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued travel alerts for Providenciales, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Santiago, and Santo Domingo for Tuesday, August 22, 2023 through Wednesday, August 23, 2023; and Saturday, August 26, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Spirit Airlines has issued travel alerts for 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.
- WestJet Airways has issued a travel alert for Punta Cana for Tuesday, August 22, 2023 through Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
- Aeromexico has issued a travel alert for Santo Domingo for Monday, August 21, 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.
Final Boarding Call
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.
