How to Survive a Hurricane: Our Essential Safety Tips

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What's the difference between a hurricane, a typhoon and a cyclone? How do you stay safe if one hits? Our tips on how to prepare for and survive a hurricane.

Aftermath of hurricane in Florida Keys leaves piles of trash and debris to be cleaned up

Hurricane, cyclone, and typhoon
When does hurricane season begin?
Warnings and intensity
How to survive a hurricane
COVID-19 safety during a hurricane

Hurricane, cyclone, and typhoon

Hurricane, cyclone, and typhoon. What is the difference? They are all tropical systems which only form in warm tropical waters. In the southern hemisphere they rotate clockwise, and in the northern hemisphere they rotate counter-clockwise. This is due to a force known as the Coriolis Effect.

Hurricanes occur in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific Ocean
Typhoons occur in the northwestern Pacific Ocean
Cyclones occur in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean

But what's a tornado?

While it's true that a tornado is similar to a hurricane – they are both rapidly rotating columns of air – tornadoes will form over land and are usually associated with supercells (a type of thunderstorm). Hurricanes, on the other hand, form over warm water, either tracking inland or further out to sea to die out, depending on conditions. Hurricane warnings can be in place for several days. Tornadoes are short-lived and form with little warning. Hurricanes often spawn tornadoes when they reach land, though these tornadoes are usually shorter in duration and less powerful than those that form in the US Great Plains.

When does hurricane season begin?

United States

Hurricane season in the US begins on June 1 and lasts until November 30, covering the entire summer season and most of autumn. For that reason, it's wise to keep an eye on weather reports during any coastal vacation. Over the last few decades, several hurricanes have caused widespread damage from as far south as the Caribbean to as far north as New York and eastern Canada.

Caribbean

The Caribbean hurricane season runs the same time as the United States, June to November. Many of the hurricanes which affect the US (including massive, destructive ones like Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey) are formed in the Caribbean. Other recent storms such as Irma and Maria in 2017 and Dorian in 2019 brought widespread destruction to the Caribbean region, with Puerto Rico, Dominica, Barbuda, and The Bahamas being especially badly hit. The past few seasons have been above normal in terms of activity, and 2020 is shaping up to be a very active one – it's the first season on record in which nine storms formed in the Atlantic before August 1.

Eastern Pacific

Hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific runs May 15-Nov 30. Most storms remain out at sea, but those that bring impacts to land may affect southwestern Mexico, the southwestern US, or turn west to affect Hawaii.

Central Pacific

This region includes the Hawaiian islands. The season runs June 1 to November 30. In July of 2020, Hurricane Douglas nearly made landfall in Hawaii – it would have been only the third hurricane in modern history to do so.

Western Pacific

Typhoon season, which impacts several parts of southeast Asia and mainland Asia, starts in May and runs until the end of November. Occasionally, there are outliers like Pabuk which smashed into Thailand's southern coast in January 2019 before tracking its way northwest.

South Pacific

Cyclone season in the Pacific Islands and Australia generally runs from November 1 to the end of April, with activity generally peaking around February and March.

Indian Ocean

In the northern Indian Ocean, systems can happen all throughout the year, but are most common between April and December with peak activity during May and November. The southern Indian Ocean has a shorter season.

Warnings and intensity

There are two levels of alert for tropical storms, and hurricanes: watch and warning.

WATCH: indicates a potentially destructive storm could strike your area within 48 hours.
WARNING: indicates a potentially destructive storm could strike your area within 36 hours.

The intensity and potential for destruction of a storm are indicated by its "category". Category 1 is the lowest intensity (below that it's high winds, gale, or storm), Category 5 is the highest intensity. There are some variations to this across the world, but generally, the higher the "storm signal" number, the more intense the storm is likely to be. China uses a color-coded system – orange and red are not good news.

How to survive a hurricane

The best way to survive a hurricane is to avoid one – get away from it – but make the decision to leave early. Don't wait until the last minute, because you may find yourself caught without proper shelter.

If you decide to stay and ride it out, it's advisable to get to an authorized evacuation center. The locations of these will be broadcast, or locals will know where they are. If there is no shelter, prepare to "shelter in place" in an internal room without windows.

Once a storm watch has been issued, make sure you are prepared in the event that the watch becomes a warning.

Fill the gas tank on your car
Check batteries in flashlights and radios
Have extra batteries on hand
Secure all doors and windows
Close shutters or board up the windows
Have extra supplies on hand such as non-perishable food, clean drinking water, two litres (half a gallon) per person per day – have enough for a couple of days – and prescription drugs.

During the storm

Never go out during the storm. The winds can send flying debris right into you, causing injury and even death.
Stay away from windows and doors
Keep on the alert for additional storm warnings. Hurricanes are known to spawn tornadoes, so be prepared to take cover if one should strike.
While the storm is in progress avoid using electrical appliances.
Stay off the telephone.
All pets should be secure in carriers. The storm will be a frightening experience for them as well, and they could injure themselves or even you if the animal panics.
Do not light candles or lanterns; they could get blown over causing a fire
The eye of the storm passing over could make you think the storm is over when the worst is still yet to come. Only use this calm in an extreme emergency to make critical repairs.
Only after an official all-clear has been issued is it safe to come out.

COVID-19 safety during a hurricane

If you do go to a public evacuation center:

Bring soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes
Ensure that everyone in your party over age two has a face mask to wear
Do your best to maintain six feet of distance from people outside your immediate family.

After the storm

Beware of downed power lines and gas leaks
Stay away from heavily damaged areas
Listen to your radio for instructions.
Sometimes the greatest dangers of a hurricane are not the high winds themselves, but the storm surge and flooding that the storm produces. Be prepared for the possiblilty of heavy rains and flooding even after the storm has passed.

If you are injured

If you are injured or become ill, please seek medical aid and contact your travel insurance 24-hour emergency assistance. Be aware that any functioning hospitals and clinics will be busy caring for other people and there may be long delays. If you are in a region with no operating medical facilities please contact your travel insurance 24-hour emergency assistance immediately.

What is happening to me and who do I call?

The situation you are in can be extremely stressful. Call home and your country's consulate or embassy to let them know where you are, if you are alright and if you need any assistance. Keeping an item of comfort nearby, such as a family photo, religious item or listening to your favorite music, can often offer comfort in such situations. Call the emergency assistance line for your travel insurance should you need immediate attention.

Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice – there may be no travel insurance cover for locations with a government travel ban or health advice against travel.

By Phil Sylvester,

World Nomads Contributor - Wed, 30 Sep 2020

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What's the difference between a hurricane, a typhoon and a cyclone? How do you stay safe if one hits? Our tips on how to prepare for and survive a hurricane.