If you have spent your hard-earned dollars to go on a relaxing vacation, the last thing you want to find is that you are in the midst of a hurricane. What can prudent travelers do to keep themselves as safe as possible?
Have a Travel Insurance Policy in Place
Whenever you travel, having travel insurance can reimburse you for losses and save you quite a bit of inconvenience. Travel insurance will likely recompense your trip cancellation or trip interruption. If your baggage gets damaged or lost, you can get reimbursement for that as well. Some travel insurance policies contain medical evacuation reimbursement to a health care facility or for transportation of the remains of someone in your party who becomes deceased. Your medical expenses can also be covered if caused by the hurricane and its effects.
Do Your Homework –
The best scenario for any vacation at any season is to keep abreast of the NOAA forecasts for the area you plan on visiting. It is easy to place a shortcut for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency’s forecast for that city and state right on your cell phone. Also, it does not hurt to monitor that forecast for weeks in advance of your trip. The NOAA forecast will show if there are any weather advisories. If a hurricane is predicted to strike the area when you will be on vacation, you should be able to cancel or postpone your reservations. Prevention is worth a pound of cure.
You can also do some web research before your trip to see if you are choosing the best season for travel to that vacation spot. Typical hurricane season around Florida and the Caribbean, for example, is in the summer and fall. Hurricanes are called “typhoons” in Japan and other Pacific Ocean areas. They are often called “cyclones” in areas of the Indian Ocean. August through October tends to be the time when there is a greater likelihood that a hurricane, typhoon or cyclone will occur in a tropical destination.
What If You Are Already at Your Vacation Spot?
The first and best advice is to listen to the locals. They know the weather patterns for their area. Heed their advice. Also, follow all guidance from local authorities about where you can shelter in place safely. Think of where you can place your vehicle while you shelter in place if you have driven to your destination. You did purchase rental insurance for that rental vehicle, right?
Stay away from the ocean and be on the lookout for tornado activity as well. The ocean can experience rip tides, storm surges, and rip currents during a hurricane. Rivers and creeks can flood. Do not try to cross floodwaters in any vehicle. You don’t know how deep the waters are, and you may be swept away. Avoid downed and arcing power lines. High winds can topple trees and dislodge signs.
You will have to also monitor the situation regarding your return flight. There will likely be delays and cancellations around the time when the hurricane is predicted to touch down. Also, you will have to monitor and be aware of the status of your hotel or other accommodations as well as grocery stores and restaurants.
Going on a vacation should be a safe and relaxing adventure. Since you cannot know everything that might happen on your trip, the best advice is to plan ahead with information about weather conditions and patterns. If you are already on vacation when a hurricane strikes, pay attention and follow the guidance of local officials in order to stay safe. Have the best travel insurance policy in place in order to compensate you for any losses you incur during the disaster.