I am very grateful to have power fully restored, including internet and phone! I know many of you are still suffering and I hope you will be back to normal soon.
The latest concern is a shortage of gas at the gas stations. The trucks are not easily getting to Long Island over the bridges, so therefore there is a shortage. Please conserve, minimize trips, stay home whenever possible. This crisis will pass as the roads and bridges reopen.
Be patient and be safe!
Do not worry about the hurricane, but it is important to be careful.
• Stay home with your host family during the storm and follow their advice and direction
• Keep your own families at home informed about your location and personal status during/after the storm
• Talk to your host family about any travel plans you or they have for this week and cancel/reschedule
• If you have an emergency during the storm, please call our emergency line 1-973-413-1372
There is a possible hurricane coming this week. Do not be afraid, but it is good to go over emergency procedures with your host parents.
We may lose electricity during the storm. Sometimes it takes a few days to get the power back on. Please know that you will be safe and that your host parents are prepared for these kind of situations. Stay inside in a hurricane and stay together.
Here is a list of things to have on hand in the event of a natural disaster like a hurricane:
• Food and water
• flashlights and batteries
• a battery operated radio
• charge your cell phones before the storm
• cooler and ice for food to be stored
• hand wipes
• a first aide kit
• activities to occupy the children
I hope the storm isn’t too bad, but if you lose electricity, do not worry, it will come back on. Trust your host parents to know what to do and help anyway you can, especially with the kids!
If you have to evacuate with your host families to another location, you must:
Take your important documents. This includes passport, Form DS-2019, Form I-94, Social Security Card, Financial Records, plane ticket, checks, credit cards, etc.)
Take contact numbers and e-mail address of your community counselor
Take SEVP and Department of State contact information. SEVP email address: SEVIS.Source@dhs.gov.; Department of State e-mail address: Jvisas@state.gov.
