September 5, 2017- Preparations for Hurricane Irma in Puerto Rico and Florida

Update: September 7, 2017

All ISEP Students are accounted for and safe in Puerto Rico. Our partners in Puerto Rico have let us know that the universities are currently working to restore power. We are grateful to our partners in Puerto Rico for their constant communication and for taking such good care of ISEP students during the storm.

We continue to monitor the path of Hurricane Irma as it has the potential to affect several of our members in Florida, Georgia, and eventually, North Carolina. Eckerd College and Armstrong Atlantic University are evacuating students and will be closed for several days. Georgia Southern University will be closed through Tuesday, September 12 but is currently outside of the evacuation zone. Valdosta State is further inland and is monitoring the storm’s path closely but continues to operate normally.

For the most up to date information, please visit the university websites:

• Eckerd College
• Armstrong Atlantic University
• Georgia Southern University
• Valdosta State University

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On September 5, 2017, news outlets are predicting that Hurricane Irma will make landfall in Puerto Rico Wednesday afternoon and will potentially affect Florida this weekend.

In preparation for this storm, all students at in Puerto Rico and Florida have been notified and are in touch with ISEP staff who are ready to implement all necessary safety protocols.

To prepare for the impending storm, we urge all students to:

1. Respond immediately to any calls or “check-in” emails from ISEP, as it is an essential part of our emergency and safety protocols to make sure you are safe and accounted for.
2. Contact your parents or emergency contact to let them know you are safe and about your planned whereabouts during the storm to prevent extra worry.
3. Sign up for storm alerts to stay abreast and vigilant as the situation unfolds. Please look to your host institution, embassy, local law enforcement and media for additional updates.
   
4. Carry a fully charged cell phone with you at all times, in the case of an emergency or a power outage.
5. Contact your host ISEP Coordinator if you have any problems or follow-up questions.

Additionally, after the storm, if communication means are functioning, please immediately confirm your safety with your parents or emergency contacts, host ISEP Coordinator and assigned ISEP Program Manager. We understand there may be power outages.

Students can let us know about their safety in the following ways:

1. E-mail your ISEP Program Manager : akahn@isep.org
2. Text your name and “Safe” through WhatsApp or directly to 703-969-0069
3. Check-in on Facebook on our closed Facebook Group with the words “safe”

Throughout the storm, we will be closely monitoring the situation and will be in touch with both you and your home ISEP Coordinator to relay back any information regarding your safety.

We will also provide any new updates on the storm and actions required. We recommend following our website and #ISEPAlerts on the @ISEPStudyAbroad Twitter feed for real-time updates.