Hurricane Dorian may affect parts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina & North Carolina.

If you are in this area, please stay alert, listen to the news and direction from your host company or host school.

As your visa sponsor, we want to make sure that you are okay, and that you know what you need to do to remain as safe during this time. Here are some immediate steps you should take in order to prepare:

CONTACT your Host Company and know their plan for evacuation.
EMAIL Alliance Abroad your cell phone number, so we have an alternate way to reach you.
KEEP AAG UPDATED – make sure to let AAG, your employer, family and friends know where you are if your housing is affected by the storm.
STAY INFORMED – Stay up-to-date by watching your local news.
CNN LIVE UPDATES: https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/hurricane-dorian-september-2019/index.html
THE WEATHER CHANNEL: https://weather.com/
CALL AAG if you need assistance – Our 24-hour Support line is 1 (866) 622-7623

Hurricane facts:

• Hurricanes cause heavy rains that can cause extensive flood damage in coastal and inland areas.
• Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland.
• Hurricanes can produce winds exceeding 155 miles per hour as well as tornadoes and micro-bursts.
• Hurricanes can create storm surges along the coast and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall.
• Floods and flying debris from the excessive winds are often the deadly and destructive results of these weather events.
• Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides.
• Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall.

How to prepare:

• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit (http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit)
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/) or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
• Stay informed about your Host Company Evacuation Plan
• Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep the doors closed.
• Turn off propane tanks
• Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
• Ensure you have at least a 3-day supply of water for drinking and for sanitary purposes such as cleaning, brushing your teeth, and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
• Find out how to keep food safe during and after a emergency.
• Determine where your nearest hurricane shelter is, how you will get there, and who you will travel there with.
• Be prepared to travel with some cash.

What to do during the storm:

• AVOID WINDOWS. An exploding window can injure you.
• The safest place in the home is the interior part of a basement. If there is no basement, go to an inside room, without windows, on the lowest floor. This could be a center hallway, bathroom, or closet.
• For added protection, get under something sturdy such as a heavy table or workbench. If possible, cover your body with a blanket, sleeping bag, or mattress, and protect your head with anything available–even your hands.
• Avoid taking shelter where there are heavy objects, such as refrigerators, on the area of floor that is directly above you.
• Extra care is required in offices, schools, hospitals, or any building where a large group of people is concentrated in a small area.
• Do not use elevators because the power may fail

Please keep in contact with us regarding your location, well-being, and updated contact information. Your safety is our number one concern, so please feel free to reach out to us at any time by either calling our 24-hour emergency number (1-866-622-7623)