Everything You Need to Know about Hurricane Season
Sudden extreme weather can disrupt even the best laid travel plans. Whether it’s an airport under six feet of snow or an unexpected heatwave, knowing what to do when mother nature flexes her muscles is a key part of being a good Travel Manager.
In this guide, we will explain the necessary precautions to take against Atlantic Hurricane Season. The South and East Coasts of North America are popular destinations, so learning about their hurricane seasons could be handy knowledge indeed.
When?
In the Northern Atlantic, hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30. This is not to say that hurricanes can’t happen outside of this window. In fact, hurricanes have struck North America in every month of the calendar year. The month most likely to see hurricanes is September.
Where?
Hurricanes in the Atlantic typically start off on the west coast of Africa, then travel across warm waters to the Caribbean, Central America and US’s southern East Coast.
States around the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean islands are the most affected areas. Caribbean islands not in the ‘Hurricane Ally’ are Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and the islands off the coast of Venezuela.
What?
Different countries tend to call hurricanes different things. If you’re a traveller, it’s important to know what these terms are.
A hurricane is also known as a tropical cyclone or typhoon. It is an intense tropical weather system with winds of 74mph or higher. It is a storm, not a hurricane, if the winds are below 74mph.
The high winds, downpours caused by intense lightning storms and ocean surges associated with the storms can cause huge damage to property and people.
Keep Informed
If travelling to coastal areas within the hurricane belt during hurricane season, it is important to keep a close eye on the weather reports.
It is also very important to know the local protocols for hurricane watches and hurricane warnings. If a hurricane system is underway (usually out to sea) and may strike land in your area within 48 hours, there will be constant monitoring and news updates. If a warning is issued, this means the hurricane is expected to strike your area and evacuations may be necessary.
How to prepare
We would recommend ensuring your travel insurance will protect you from losses faced through:
- Cancelled flights
- Accommodation
If you haven’t yet travelled to an area which is under a Hurricane watch, it is often possible to rearrange your travel with minimal expenditure of time or effort – particularly if you’re using a Travel Manager. Hurricane belt countries are used to the disruption caused by this yearly weather and are set up to deal with it.
If visiting during hurricane season, be ready to comply with regional emergency protocol. See what the local authorities recommend in terms of having emergency items to hand (medicine, water and clothing) and always follow the directions of police and marshals.
Preparing for extreme weather is part of travel during hurricane season. To shed the stress of checking weather updates and rearranging flights, allow our Travel Managers to handle your travel this summer. We are also on call 24/7!
Call us today on 0203 535 9290 or email leisure@simplexitytravel.com.