Government Resources on Recent Hurricanes
- Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Know to determine if you are in an evacuation zone - Florida Division of Emergency Management
- FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration’s Pre-Landfall Preparations for Hurricane Milton
- News Releases on the Hurricanes from Florida Governor DiSantis
- FEMA Hurricane Milton page
- DHS Statement on Safety and Enforcement During Hurricane Milton
- FEMA Hurricane Helene page
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Specific Resources
- Response to Hurricane Milton – Impact on F and M Students in Affected Jurisdictions
- Response to Hurricane Helene – Impact on F and M Students in Affected Jurisdictions
Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) Specific Resources
- Guidance for applicants affected by Hurricane Milton
- Guidance for applicants affected by Hurricane Helene
- Guidance for applicants affected by severe storms flooding landslides and mudslides in Vermont
Every year, natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes disrupt normal activities due to evacuations, loss of life, and extensive damage to property. Academic institutions located in affected areas may be unable to operate normally, or at all, during the current academic term. As a result of a natural disaster, students and scholars may also experience difficulty in satisfying the normal regulatory requirements for maintaining valid status, including reporting requirements and the pursuit of a “full course of study.” The following resources can help institutions, students, and scholars affected by such emergencies and natural disasters.
General Resources
- NAFSA
- Responding to a Natural Disaster in a Student's/Scholar's institution within the U.S. - By the NAFSA KC ISSS Crisis Management Subcommittee
- NAFSA Explanation of the USCIS Immigration Relief in Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances (formerly "Special Situations") Page
- Crisis Management in a Cross-Cultural Setting: International Student and Scholar Services Checklists
- SEVP: The Student and Exchange Visitor Program
- Campus Resilience at SEVP-certified Schools
- Maintain F and M Status in Emergency Events
- SEVP Broadcast Message 1806-02: Emergency Preparedness: Are You and Your Students Ready? (2018)
- SEVP Blog - Preparing Your School in Case of Emergency Events (2018)
- SEVP Blog: Preparing Your Students in Case of Emergency Events (2018)
- SEVP Infographic: Emergency Resources: Prepare and Stay Safe (2022)
- SEVP Message - Students: Prepare for Emergencies During Hurricane Season (2017)
- General SEVIS Reporting Requirements for Designated School Officials
- Maintaining Student Status when an SEVP-Certified School Closes
- USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- General Federal Government Resources
- Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Institutions of Higher Education (2018)
- IRS: Tax Relief in Disaster Situations
- DHS’s emergency preparedness, continuity planning and training information: https://www.ready.gov.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Management Institute offers additional resources and training at https://www.fema.gov/training.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has information and resources, regarding emergency preparedness and response, online at http://emergency.cdc.gov/.
- Be Prepared, Build a Kit.
- Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website.
- Explore Ready.gov’s Campus Ready resources.
- Follow FEMA’s popular accounts on social media.
- Other Resources:
- Immigrants and Disaster Assistance - By the National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
- Helping Children After a Natural Disaster - WETA Public Broadcasting