This story was originally published by U.S. State Dept and is unaltered.

(C) U.S. State Dept
This story was originally published by U.S. State Dept and is unaltered.
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Seven Travel Tips for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season (June – November) [1]

['Stephanie Peterson', 'Bureau Of Consular Affairs']

Date: 2024-06

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, overlapping with the busy summer travel season. If you reside in or must travel to a hurricane-prone area during this time period, prepare in advance for the possibility of storms by following these tips:

1. Get Informed

Take the time to read the State Department’s Country Information Page for your destination, which covers key pieces of information you need to know before booking a trip, including the current Travel Advisory level, entry/exit requirements, visa requirements, local laws and customs, and the availability of local medical care

2. Consider Purchasing Additional Travel Insurance

We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance before you travel to cover emergency medical care, either as part of or separate from trip cancellation insurance. Medical facilities and providers abroad may require cash up front and may not accept U.S. insurance plans.

Many U.S. insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, do not provide coverage outside the United States. Check your health care policy to see if it will cover you overseas. If not, consider buying supplemental insurance to cover things like medical evacuations, which can cost more than $100,000. In the unlikely event that U.S. government assistance is needed to evacuate U.S. citizens from a hurricane-affected area, you will be required to sign a promissory note and will be responsible to pay back the cost of your evacuation.

3. Have a Plan

If you’re traveling to a hurricane-prone area, make sure you have a plan. As you are thinking about your trip, consider the following questions:

Will departing flights be available ahead of a storm?

Will anyone in your group need additional assistance and time to depart in an emergency situation?

How do you best keep yourself and fellow travelers protected if you are not able to depart ahead of the storm?

How will you communicate with loved ones if phone lines and internet are down?

How will the potential scarcity of local medical resources affect you?

Travelers should take a moment to think about ways to communicate in the event of a hurricane. For example, update your social media status often and send messages as regularly as possible to let friends and family know how you are doing. We also suggest having a written list of emergency contacts in case you are unable to access information on your cell phone.

4. Prepare an Emergency Kit

Minor storms can quickly develop into major weather events. If you travel to a hurricane-prone area during this time of year, keep an emergency kit ready with your passports, other important documents, your prescription medications, and local currency in a watertight plastic bag. Other emergency kit recommendations can be found at Ready.gov’s Build A Kit webpage .

5. Monitor Local News Sources and the National Hurricane Center for Weather Updates

Stay aware of developments by monitoring local media and the National Hurricane Center for news and weather reports. Minor storms can quickly become hurricanes, giving you limited time to depart. If a weather emergency occurs, stay in touch with your tour operator, hotel staff, and local authorities for evacuation instructions. It could save your life.

6. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

Now, more than ever, it is important to enroll your international trip in STEP. Enrolling your trip in STEP allows you to receive weather and security alerts for your destination and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.

7. Save the Contact Information of the Nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Keep the contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate with you. We are available for emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week, overseas and in Washington, D.C., at 1-888-407-4747 for domestic calls or 202-501-4444 for international calls.

For up-to-date alerts, you can also monitor the website and social media accounts of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in your travel destination, follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on X, Instagram, and Facebook, and visit travel.state.gov.

For more information about preparing for hurricanes abroad, visit:

About the Author: Stephanie Peterson is a Public Affairs Officer for the Digital Engagement Team in the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

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[1] Url: https://www.state.gov/seven-travel-tips-for-the-2024-atlantic-hurricane-season-june-november/?utm_source=news_bar&utm_medium=dipnote&utm_id=123

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