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)(opens in a new tab). To receive these alerts, sign up at step.state.gov(opens in a new tab).
• Crisis intake system - We may publish an online form that can be completed by or for a U.S. citizen in a crisis location. However, we generally do not notify emergency medical or law enforcement officials on your behalf. If you need immediate help, contact local emergency services.
• 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.
• 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, SMS text, and social media to share information - Local media may be used if internet and phone service 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 possible. 
• Have an action plan that doesn’t depend on the U.S. government to help. 
• 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 no commercial options are available. However, this is a last resort, and depending on the crisis, may not be possible.   

U.S. government coordinated transportation is generally to a nearby safe location or, a different part of the same region, not the United States.

Once you arrive in the safer destination, you will need to make lodging or onward travel arrangements on your 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 quickly travel onward to the United States or elsewhere by local immigration officials.

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 for a loan from the U.S. government to pay for essential costs. 

Pets and service animals 

• Prepare for the chance that you can't take your pet on  U.S. government-coordinated transportation. Arrange local care for them or use pet-friendly options like a bus, plane, or ferry. 
• In rare cases, if we can accept service animals or pets during an assisted departure, we will let you know about any transport rules or needs(opens in a new tab).
• Whenever you are traveling with a service animal or pet, you must make sure the animal meets the entry and transit rules(opens in a new tab) for each country they will travel through. You also take on all travel risks for approved 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 Defense 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(opens in a new tab). 

Be safe 

Call local authorities first if you need immediate assistance. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate(opens in a new tab) 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(opens in a new tab), X(opens in a new tab), and Facebook.(opens in a new tab) 
• Share the Missing U.S. Citizen Abroad information with your close contacts before you travel.
• Sign up for STEP(opens in a new tab) at step.state.gov(opens in a new tab) 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(opens in a new tab) 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(opens in a new tab). 
• Nuclear, chemical, or radiological disasters - refer to government resources for more information: 
  • Ready.gov(opens in a new tab) for radiation or hazardous materials emergencies 
  • CDC.gov(opens in a new tab) for radiation information 
  • EPA.gov(opens in a new tab) 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(opens in a new tab) for your destination for guidance. Review the Ready.gov explosions information(opens in a new tab) 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.