At this time, the Town of Ocean City Emergency Services Officials have ordered that all summer work/travel participants must be evacuated from Ocean City today, Thursday, August 25, due to expected arrival of Hurricane Irene to our coast.
This is a mandatory evacuation for all J-1 students. All guests and residents will be evacuated after the students.
At this time, all students must follow the instructions below:
· Students must go to the Convention Center (located on 41st Street & Coastal Highway) starting at 10:00am EST today.
· From the Convention Center students will be taken by bus to Perdue Stadium in Salisbury. There students will board a second bus that will take them to a Red Cross shelter outside of the Eastern Shore, in Baltimore, MD, where students will be safe from the hurricane.
· Students must bring ALL of their important documents and travel papers, including their passport and DS–2019.
· Students will be allowed to carry one backpack OR one small carry-on that can fit in their lap on the bus. In that bag, students need to bring valuables, medicine, some toiletries and some clothes. (This bag will remain with the student at all times).
· STUDENTS CAN NOT BRING ALL OF THEIR SUITCASES WITH THEM. There is no way to transport them with students (and they can not be left behind at the Convention Center). They will be safest left in students’ apartment or if their employer has a place they can store them. Students should leave their suitcases labeled with their address in their home country in case they need to be shipped to them.
· Students will be given blankets, a cot to sleep on, food, drink, and all things necessary including medical care while they are at the shelter in Baltimore.
· There will be computers for students to use at the shelter in Baltimore, so that they can keep in touch with their family and your program sponsor.
· After the hurricane passes, and it is safe to return to Ocean City, students will be transported back by buses.
· If the hurricane causes so much damage that the town of Ocean City is not inhabitable, students will be assisted by their sponsor to either return home, or go to another area with the USA for the remainder of their program.
Students must be sure to contact their family before leaving Ocean City, so that they are aware of students’ plans to evacuate. Students’ sponsors have been notified already, and students should stay in contact with their sponsor in the coming days.
The phone number for up to the minute information regarding the hurricane is 410-723-6666. You can also go to www.oceancitymd.gov and there is a storm update button on the page
Remember, students’ safety is important to everyone. Please go to the Convention Center immediately.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Seasonal Workforce Committee
Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.
