Talking Points: Hurricane Irma (September 7, 2017)
Talking Points – Hurricane Irma
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The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients who have questions about Hurricane Irma. (September 7, 2017)
1. The U.S. State Department has issued Travel Warnings for the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas, and Cuba due to Hurricane Irma. Other areas of the Caribbean, as well as Florida, have been, or will be, affected by the storm.
2. We are here to assist our clients; their safety and well-being is our top priority.
3. We provide the facts so our clients can make an informed decision about their travel plans.
Below you will find additional information, supporting material, and statistics supporting each talking point.
1. The U.S. State Department has issued Travel Warnings for the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas, and Cuba due to Hurricane Irma. Other areas of the Caribbean, as well as Florida, have been, or will be, affected by the storm.
For Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, the State Department warns Americans to “carefully reconsider travel to Cuba due to Hurricane Irma.”
For The Bahamas, the State Department is advising against all travel to the country, as well as Turks and Caicos.
o “We recommend U.S. citizens depart The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands if possible and work with commercial air carriers to leave prior to the arrival of the hurricane. Airports will close once conditions deteriorate and safe travel will not be possible, expected sometime on September 8. We recommend those citizens who are unable to depart to shelter in place in a secure location.”
Hurricane Irma is currently classified as a Category 5 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center notes as of 5:00 a.m. on September 7:
o “Irma is a potentially catastrophic category 5 hurricane and will bring life-threatening window, storm surge, and rainfall hazards to the northern coast of Hispaniola [home of Haiti and the Dominican Republic] today, the Turks and Caicos tonight, and the Bahamas tonight through Saturday.”
o “A hurricane watch is in effect for much of Cuba. Irma is likely to bring dangerous wind, storms surge, and rainfall to portions of these areas on Friday and Saturday.
o “The threat of direct hurricane impacts in Florida over the weekend and early next week continues to increase. Hurricane watches will likely be issued for portions of the Florida Keys and the Florida peninsula later this morning.”
Hurricane Irma has already caused extensive destruction in the Caribbean. Puerto Rico, Barbuda, St. Barth’s and St. Martin were deeply affected.
o According to NBC, “Irma, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane on record, skirted Puerto Rico on Wednesday night as it stayed just out to sea.” The storm caused widespread loss of electricity on the island.
o NBC also reported: “The Category 5 storm battered the tiny island of Barbuda and left thousands homeless on the island territories of St. Bart and St. Martin, where local officials said about 95 percent of the island was completely demolished after Wednesday’s thrashing.”
On the United States mainland, Florida is making emergency preparations. Florida governor Rick Scott has ordered several evacuations:
o “Miami Dade has issued mandatory evacuations for zones A and B.”
o “Broward County has issued voluntary evacuations of mobile homes and low-lying areas beginning today.”
o “Collier County has issued voluntary evacuations of Marco Island beginning today.”
o “Monroe County has issued mandatory evacuations for visitors beginning this morning. Mandatory evacuations for residents will begin this evening.”
o “Individuals with special needs started being evacuated from Miami-Dade County this morning.”
o “Additional evacuations are expected throughout the state. All Floridians should pay close attention to local alerts and follow the directions of local officials.”
Florida airports are currently operating, however this may change as the storm moves closer.
o Miami International Airport notes on its Twitter account: “We are anticipating a high volume of passengers today and if you’re traveling, [we] recommend you arrive at least two hours before departure time. Expect flight cancellations due to the storm. Please contact you[r] airline regarding flight status before heading to the airport.”
o Officials at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport note that they are experiencing numerous flight delays and cancellations.
o Tampa International Airport remains operational and is closely watching the storm.
o Orlando International Airport says that “Flights at Orlando International Airport are currently operating as normal.”
Disney World and Universal Orlando are open. The Orlando Sentinel reports that both have cancellation policies in place.
o “At Universal Orlando Resort, the parks’ hours are operating as normal as they monitor the weather but visitors can reschedule or seek refunds, according to spokesman Tom Schroder. ‘We have an affirmative, no-questions-asked policy for guests who tell us they want to change plans or seek a refund because of a named storm involving the Orlando area or where they are traveling from,’ Schroder said in an email.”
o “Walt Disney World Resort policy allows people to reschedule or cancel their vacation packages and most room-only reservations without any fees if a hurricane warning is issued by National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area or a visitor’s residence [is] within seven days of the traveler’s scheduled arrival, according to Disney’s website.”
Cruise lines are cancelling and rerouting their cruises leaving out of Florida and/or going to the Caribbean.
o USA Today writes: “With Hurricane Irma bearing down on Florida, cruise lines now have canceled every voyage scheduled to depart from the state on Friday — an unusually broad stoppage. Many of Saturday’s sailings already have been canceled, too.
“The Friday cancellations include sailings on three Miami-based ships: Carnival’s 2,758-passenger Carnival Victory, Royal Caribbean’s 2,446-passenger Enchantment of the Seas and Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,004-passenger Norwegian Sky.
Also canceled are voyages on two Port Canaveral-based ships: Disney Cruise Line’s 2,500-passenger Disney Dream and Royal Caribbean’s 2,350-passenger Majesty of the Seas. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Palm Beach-based Grand Celebration also is sitting out its Friday departure.”
The publication has provided a complete list of Florida cruises that have been affected by Hurricane Irma: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2017/09/06/hurricane-irma-complete-list-cruises-canceled-delayed/636775001/
2. We are here to assist our clients; their safety and well-being is our top priority.
We are advocates for our clients; and they know that by working with a true travel professional, we are there for them before, during and after their trip should they need us – which gives them peace of mind.
We strongly encourage all of our clients, whether they are traveling domestically or internationally, to purchase travel insurance, particularly right at the same time as travel has been booked. Travel insurance offers an additional layer of protection for travelers and can potentially help save a traveler hundreds or thousands of dollars if a medical or travel emergency occurs.
Travel agents are trained to monitor situations, such tropical storms and hurricanes, which may impact their clients’ travel plans. As such, they also are in a position to work on alternative travel plans and have those in place the moment the need arises.
If changes in travel plans are necessary due to weather, many times, travel agents are able to rebook clients for no additional charge or are able to obtain travel vouchers and/or refunds that clients may not know are due or available to them.
o Some U.S. airlines are now offering travel waivers due to Irma, including:
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
With limited airline seats available, travel agents have the resources needed to quickly rebook clients and reserve the next available seat.
o Travelers who book on their own either have to “roll the dice” by calling an 800-number or standing in a lengthy customer service line to try get rebooked. Using a travel agent can essentially move you to the “front of the line.”
3. We provide the facts so our clients can make an informed decision about their travel plans.
We closely monitor the latest news and weather updates, as well as the U.S. Department of State website, for travel alerts and travel warnings for all destinations, including those that are most popular with our clients.
Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there so they can determine for themselves if they still wish to travel.
Also, should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination where a client is currently located, we try to immediately contact the client to check on their well-being and work to assist them if they require alternate travel arrangements.