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The monsoon season is about to begin, and people from all around the globe will soon be planning recreational trips to various locations.
You must also have planned to embark on an adventure trip to one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world.
But wait! Something intimidating might halt your plans! The season of hurricanes is going to begin soon. Those who have watched the movie Hurricane Season, based on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, know that the intensity of nature’s fury is no great wonder.
So here is a complete travel guide for the hurricane season that will educate you on coping with an emergency while travelling to hurricane-prone zones.
Before that, you must know when the hurricane season comes every year.
When Does Hurricane Season Comes?
Officially, the hurricane season in the Atlantic basin begins on June 1st and continues until November 30th every year. However, tropical cyclone activity may sometimes start before and continue even after November. Usually, the peak of hurricane activity in the Atlantic region is observed around September 10 and often continues till mid-October.
Which is the Biggest Hurricane in History?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US considers the two most significant hurricanes in human history based on the wind speeds and lowest pressures. Those two hurricanes are Allen and Wilma.
Hurricane Allen
Concerning the intensity of the winds, Hurricane Allen, which hit St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 4th August 1980, is considered the biggest hurricane in history. Hurricane Allen was a record wind holder with the highest reported wind speed of 130mph. The cyclone began in the central Atlantic Ocean and peaked in the Caribbean. When the hurricane entered the southeast Gulf of Mexico, the sustained wind speed hit the 190 mph mark. As many as 500 people were rendered homeless as a result of Hurricane Allen.
Hurricane Wilma
While Allen holds the world record for the highest wind speed, Hurricane Wilma made the global record for the lowest recorded pressure in the Atlantic basin. The rule is that the lesser the pressure in the ocean basin, the greater the hurricane's intensity.
Wilma hit near Cape Romano in Collier County, Florida, on 15 October 2005. A drop-sonde from Hurricane Hunter aircraft flying over the Caribbean Sea recorded the barometric pressure of Hurricane Wilma as a minimum of 882 millibars, the lowest in the basin's history. Hence, Wilma was listed in the Guinness World Records 2006.
Essential Tips to Follow Before Traveling in Hurricane Season
Here are the 7 most essential tips you must not overlook before planning your trip in the hurricane season.
Do Research Before Plunging Out
Before planning your trip during hurricane season, you must carefully review the basic information about your destination. It includes—
The current Travel Advisory level;
- Entry and exit requirements
- Visa requirements
- Local laws and customs and
- The availability of regional medical help
This information is available on the US Department of State website.
Safeguard your Trip with Travel Insurance
Although medical facilities and providers are readily available abroad during the natural hazard, they may require cash in advance due to the vast crowds.
Hence, it is highly recommended that you have international travel insurance before your trip. Such an insurance plan can cover unforeseen medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and trip delays.
However, you must check whether your international travel insurance policy covers you in the region where you are travelling. If not, you must consider buying region-specific travel insurance.
Emergency services like medical evacuations can cost around $100,000 or even more. If you have a travel insurance policy, your insurer can even provide you access to the Indian embassy/consulate near the hurricane-affected zones.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
An emergency kit is a must while travelling abroad. During the hurricane season, minor weather disturbances can suddenly become a tempestuous storm. So, even if you have a permit to travel to a hurricane-prone area during this time of the year, always keep an emergency kit ready. This kit must contain the following three things:
- Your passports and other important travel documents,
- Only prescribed medicines and first-aid kit
- Liquid cash in your native currency in a waterproof plastic bag.
Other essentials for the emergency kit are recommended on US Department’s Build A Kit portal.
Enrol Your Trip on MADAD Portal
In India, the Ministry of External Affairs has created the MADAD ('MEA' in Aid of Diaspora in Distress) portal to monitor consular grievances. You can register your grievance on MADAD portal to seek emergency help from the nearby Indian Embassy/Consulate. You can register grievances of any nature except regarding loss of passport or travel documents. It makes it easier for the Indian embassy or consulate to locate and help you in an emergency. The two most recent significant examples of the success of the MADAD portal are–
- Operation Ganga, which was carried out during the Ukraine War and
- Operation Ajay, for evacuation of Indians during the Israel-Hamas War.
Keep Yourself Updated
While on an international trip, it is always advisable to stay aware and vigilant of global geopolitical developments by staying active on digital media. During the hurricane season, you can get updated information on hurricane zones from the National Hurricane Center. Here, you can get the latest news and weather forecasts.
Be in Touch with the Locals
During hurricane season months, the slightest of winds can develop into the deadliest hurricane, rendering you completely helpless. Hence, you must contact your local tour operator during an emergency. Besides, following up with hotel staff and local authorities can help you quickly evacuate from the storm surge zone.
Keep Necessary Contact Details Handy
During a natural hazard, you can get emergency help only from your native agencies and departments. Hence, you must save all the contact information of the Indian Embassy / Consulate nearest to the storm surge zone. The contact details of the Indian consulates can be found at the Indian Missions Abroad portal.
Safeguard your Savings During a Hurricane With Travel Insurance
As discussed above, despite the availability of essential medical help in a hurricane-affected zone, you might face certain inconveniences during the evacuation process. Sometimes, a medical emergency can pose a substantial financial burden on you in a foreign land. Hence, you must have a travel insurance plan that covers all your medical expenses in times of unforeseen emergency.
Besides, with ideal travel insurance such as Care Explore, you can receive complete assistance during unforeseen situations, such as losing your passport and other travel documents.
Important Tip: The above blog is for reference purposes only. Please refer to the official websites of your destination to stay updated about the country's climate changes.
Disclaimer: Plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.
