Taipei, Sept. 9 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Saturday the Taiwan government stands ready to assist its diplomatic allies in the Caribbean that have suffered damage from Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic.

Taiwan's embassies in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti have expressed sympathy to the governments of those countries on behalf of President Tsai Ing-wen, MOFA spokeswoman Eleanor Wang told reporters.

The embassies are keeping a close watch on the damage caused by Hurricane Irma and stand ready to provide assistance with the reconstruction work, Wang said.

According to reports from the embassies, the storm has caused flooding, power outages, and the destruction of bridges and buildings in the three Caribbean countries, which are Taiwan's diplomatic allies.

Wang said the Taiwan government will assess the damage and decide whether its assistance should include a donation of funds.

Irma, classified as a category 5 hurricane and one of most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, is being followed by Hurricane Jose on a similar path through the Caribbean.