Natural Disaster and Emergency Evacuation
Your safety is our priority. In the event of a natural disaster, it is mandatory that you comply with emergency procedures and follow instructions issued by InterExchange and your local Office of Emergency Management.Types of natural disasters
Emergencies extend far beyond the commonly thought of hurricane or flood and depend a lot on the region and season you’re in. Knowing the different types of situations to prepare for can help you minimize the damage:- Severe weather (e.g., flooding, blizzards, tornadoes, cyclones) and power outages
- Wildfires
- Civil emergencies or security situations
- Public health emergencies
- Technology-related emergencies (cyberattacks on infrastructure)
Important information if you are evacuated
- Take important documents with you. This includes your passport, DS-2019 Form, Social Security Card, financial records, plane ticket, checks, credit cards, etc.
- Save important contact numbers in your phone and back them up to cloud storage.
- Take photos of important documents and store them securely online.
- Note the InterExchange emergency number for your program and consider saving it as an emergency contact in your phone.
- Contact your family members to let them know you are safe and how you can be reached via WhatsApp, social media, phone, etc. Also, be sure to let InterExchange know immediately where you have relocated.
Reminder: For the most current information on evacuation notices and to learn what your local area is doing to prepare for an extreme weather event or public health emergency, visit the website of your local Office of Emergency Management. They can also provide information about maintaining an emergency kit for such situations.
What to Do in a Mass Shooting Event
Unfortunately, public attacks and gun violence are not uncommon in the United States. It’s important to take precautions and know what to do if you find yourself in an active shooter situation.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has compiled resources about surviving attacks in crowded and public spaces, along with preparedness advice for other emergencies. We recommend reviewing this information so that you know what to do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation.
Additional Emergency Considerations
- Create a plan. Discuss how you will handle various emergencies with your hosts before they happen. Here is a great government resource you can refer to in order to help you prepare for a variety of scenarios.
- Stay in contact. After major emergencies, InterExchange will reach out through multiple channels (phone, email, text, and possibly social media) to confirm you are safe. We may also use emergency check-in systems or apps.
- Prepare your devices. Since the internet is not always reliable, especially during an emergency situation, it’s a good idea to download offline maps, emergency apps, and weather apps like Weather Underground. Sign up for local emergency alerts on your phone. Follow local news and emergency management social media accounts for real-time updates. You should also consider getting a portable charger and power bank for long outages.
Our hope is that you won’t have to experience any of these scenarios firsthand. But if you do, you’ll be armed with the peace of mind knowing you’ve done your research and have a support system in place.
