Crisis Response and Evacuations

We will communicate with U.S. citizens through: 

• STEP messages - We send updates and alerts via email to U.S. citizens who have enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). To receive these alerts, sign up at step.state.gov.
• Social media – We may post alerts to X, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp channels and other social media.
• Crisis intake system - We may publish an online form that can be completed by or for a U.S. citizen in a crisis location who wishes to request consular information and assistance, including assistance to depart.
• Email - We may contact you via email during a crisis. Please double check that the email is legitimate. Emails will always come from an address ending in @state.gov. You should monitor junk email folders for messages from us that don’t reach your inbox.
• Citizen Liaison Volunteers (CLVs) - These are private volunteers who help communicate with U.S. citizens. During a crisis, CLVs can help us locate U.S. citizens and share information in hard-to-reach areas. 
• We may use local TV, radio, and SMS text to share information - Local media may be used if internet and phone services are disrupted during a crisis.

The best time to leave is before a crisis happens. If that isn't possible, then we recommend following these guidelines: 

• Use regular commercial transportation whenever safe and available. 
• Contact us if you need assistance or information to depart safely. 
• Prepare to stay in your current location if it is unsafe to locally travel. Be prepared to leave when the situation improves.

In some emergencies, the U.S. government may evacuate U.S. citizens to a safe location or provide other forms of departure assistance when commercial options are unavailable. When this assistance is available, we provide details to Americans via STEP and directly with Americans who have identified themselves as needing assistance.

U.S. government coordinated transportation will be to a safe location readily accessible from the area of danger. The destination is usually not the United States.

 After arriving at the safe location, U.S. citizens generally will need to make lodging or onward travel arrangements on their own. We may be able to provide information about hotels in the local area. We cannot guarantee room availability or rates. We cannot guarantee how long local immigration officials will allow you to stay. You may be required to travel quickly onward to the United States or elsewhere by local immigration laws.

What you need to do: 

• Work with local immigration officials to get any required visas, vaccinations, or documents.
• Plan and pay for your own accommodation, living expenses, or onward travel.

U.S. citizens can request emergency financial help at the destination. You can ask a consular officer from the U.S. embassy or consulate about applying for a loan from the U.S. government to pay for essential costs. 

Pets and service animals 

• Prepare for the likelihood that you cannot take your pet on U.S. government-coordinated transportation. Arrange local care for them or consider commercial options that can accommodate while those are available. 
• In cases where we can transport service animals, we will let you know about any transport rules or needs.
• Whenever you are traveling with a service animal, you must make sure the animal meets the entry and transit rules for each country they will travel through. You must accept all travel risks for service animals. 

Military evacuations

It is extremely rare for the U.S. military to assist with evacuations of civilians abroad. If such an evacuation occurs, the Department of State and Department of War will coordinate to help U.S. citizens leave a crisis area. 

Be prepared

Whether you’re traveling or living outside the United States, it’s important to prepare for a crisis by doing the following: 

• Keep plenty of food and water available.
• If you have young children, have diapers, formula, and baby food on hand.
• Keep at least 5 days of medication and your prescription handy.
• If you use medical devices, ensure you have a backup power supply.
• Maintain an emergency kit that includes:   
  • Your passport  
  • Birth certificates for children born overseas  
  • Cash in local currency  
  • Translation card with common words  
  • Electrical converter
• For pets, have their food, supplies, and vaccination records on hand. We cannot help transport pets. Have a plan for taking a pet overseas and review FEMA.gov pet and animal information. 

Be safe 

Call local authorities first if you need immediate assistance. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for your destination if you need emergency help.  

• A crisis can make roads unpassable or unsafe. Emergency responders may be delayed, not able to get to you, or have many people in need. Have an exit strategy and learn the possible routes to safety. 
• Follow instructions from local authorities.
• Check local media for updates.
• Know your hotel’s emergency plan for fire, electrical outage, storms, or flooding.
• Stay in touch with hotel staff, tour operators, and local officials.

Stay connected 

Prepare for ways to communicate during a crisis or disaster. 

• Always keep a list of emergency contacts with you.
• Create a communication plan for reaching family and friends in the event of a crisis. 
• Phone lines and communication networks may not work during a crisis. Use social media to update your status and stay in touch with contacts, if possible. 
• Social media accounts for U.S. embassies, consulates, and the Bureau of Consular Affairs provide updates. Follow our social channels on Instagram, X, and Facebook. 
• Share the Missing U.S. Citizen Abroad information with your close contacts before you travel.
• Sign up for STEP at step.state.gov to receive updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. STEP also makes it easier for us to reach you or your emergency contact during a crisis.

Hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones

These storms can cause severe damage, including power outages, flooding, and road closures.  

• There may be a shortage of safe places to stay, food, water, and medical facilities.  
• U.S. citizens may face delays or airport closures.   
• You may need to stay in an emergency shelter before returning home. There may be limited supplies, food, and water at the shelter.
• Sign up for STEP before you leave so you can receive weather update alerts. Be ready to evacuate if necessary. 

All 3 storm types are the same with a rotating system of clouds starting over tropical waters.  

Crisis and disaster risk preparation 

Prepare for specific risks based on your destination. Check our Travel Advisories and destination information for specific safety and security information.  

• Transportation disasters - consult your airline, rail, or cruise line for safety instructions. Review the road safety information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 
• Nuclear, chemical, or radiological disasters - refer to government resources for more information: 
  • Ready.gov for radiation or hazardous materials emergencies 
  • CDC.gov for radiation information 
  • EPA.gov for radiation emergency preparation. 
• Missile or drone strike - seek cover immediately and stay indoors. Check local media and contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for your destination for guidance. Review the Ready.gov explosions information for more guidelines. 

If you want to help after a disaster 

• Avoid travel to disaster areas unless you are a trained emergency responder. 
• Instead, consider donating to organizations providing aid.