The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo has announced that it will be closed on Thursday, October 23, 2025, due to Tropical Storm Melissa. All consular services and appointments scheduled for that day in Santo Domingo are canceled.
U.S. citizens who require emergency assistance can call 809-567-7775. Routine services at the Consular Agencies in Puerto Plata and Punta Cana will continue as planned, depending on the storm’s path.
Those with appointments for passports, visas, or other consular services in Santo Domingo will receive email instructions about rescheduling. The Visas Assistance Center at Sambil will also be closed.
The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) has issued a red alert for several provinces because of Tropical Storm Melissa. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds through at least October 25. Information about provincial alerts can be found on the COE website at http://www.coe.gob.do/ or through their mobile app “alertaCOE.” Updates on weather conditions are also available from the National Hurricane Center at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.
The embassy provided safety recommendations: "Check your email for information on rescheduling a consular appointment." Travelers with upcoming flights should monitor airline communications for possible delays or cancellations. People are advised not to walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters and to move to higher ground if necessary.
Additional advice includes updating family contingency plans and ensuring travel documents are current and accessible. U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov/ so they can receive security updates relevant to the Dominican Republic.
For emergencies, people should contact local authorities or call 911. The tourist police (POLITUR) can be reached at 809-200-3500 or via their mobile app “POLITUR APP.”
The embassy reminded all U.S. citizens: "All U.S. citizens should have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance."
Contact details for non-emergency inquiries include SDOAmericans@state.gov and the embassy website https://do.usembassy.gov/. Further information is available from the State Department – Consular Affairs by calling 1-888-407-4747 from the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries.