International Education > Archive > Category: Special Reports

090617 – Hurricane Irma

September 6, 2017

The International Center wants to offer our deepest sympathy to any of you who are affected by Hurricane Irma.   The U.S. Department of State has released travel alerts recommending to avoid all travel to The Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Haiti; noted by the National Hurricane Center as being in the probable path of the storm’s center. International SOS recommends to defer all travel in the path of Hurricane Irma, including: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Martin, Turks and Caicos Islands, and from the US: Florida, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands.

Available support resources for enrolled UT Dallas students

  • The International Student Services Office. Their advising staff is available for questions about making emergency trips home or other emergency immigration concerns.  For critical immigration emergency assistance outside of business hours, call the UT Dallas Police at 972 883 2222.
  • The Student Counseling Center.  If you are in need of emotional support, staff from the Student Counseling Center is available during regular business hours, or utilize the after-hours crisis hotline at 972-UTD-TALK (972-883-8255).

If currently on-site on behalf of UT Dallas

Review International SOS Hurricane Irma Advice

If you have not registered your trip in International SOS, do so now

Stay connected and aware of current developments

  • Monitor the media and local developments closely.
  • Follow any instructions or advice issued by the local authorities.
  • Contact your transport operator directly to check whether your service has been affected.
  • Enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) if a U.S. Citizen.
  • Report with your home country embassy at your destination if not a U.S. Citizen.
  • Expect disruption to essential services such as power and water in the affected areas.
  • Contact your loved ones to let them know you are okay.

Be prepared

  • Anticipate disruption to road journeys and plan them accordingly.
  • Reconfirm the status of routes and feasibility of journeys before travelling.
  • Ensure you cell phone has a full charge as a general precaution.
  • Be prepared to arrange alternate routes and modes of transportation as needed.
  • Check your Personal Emergency Action Plan.
  • Choose safe food and drinking water. Drink only boiled or bottled water, or canned or carbonated beverages.
  • Prevent mosquito bites. Use an effective insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin, PMD, or IR3535.
  • To get Travel or Emergency Assistance, call ISOS 24/7 to  +1-215-942-8059.  Identify yourself as a UT Dallas faculty, staff or student.

Before, During, and After a Hurricane

The CDC offers the following advise

Incidents such as this can shake anyone. If you need emotional support, please don’t hesitate to contact International SOS to request assistance.

If you have updated your travel itinerary, or have not registered it with International SOS, please register your travel itinerary in ISOS now.

After the hurricane, if you intend to conduct travel to affected areas

  • Contact International SOS for a pre-travel briefing covering safety preparations and the support required to ensure the trip is feasible.
  • Exercise caution. Travel to the worst-affected areas should be conducted only if you are confident in your journey management planning (vehicle suitability, logistics support, and communications).
  • Follow all directives issued by the local authorities and emergency services in the affected areas.
  • Monitor the travel security alerts for related updates.
  • Choose safe food and drinking water. Drink only boiled or bottled water, or canned or carbonated beverages.
  • Prevent mosquito bites. Use an effective insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin, PMD, or IR3535.

Sources

The risk information in this report is retrieved from the listed sources. It provides general guidance for UT Dallas travelers. Please note the publication date of this post, and go to the direct sources listed above for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this post may change without prior notice.