Don’t Skip Travel Insurance

If you are planning to travel to regions of the world often affected by hurricanes, typhoons, or cyclones, please carefully consider the potential dangers and inconveniences associated with your travel before finalizing plans. You should have an emergency plan in advance of your departure. Even areas far from the coastline can experience dangerous winds, tornadoes, mudslides, and floods from seasonal storms.

What’s the difference between a hurricane, typhoon, or cyclone?

Nothing! These are just different terms used by different regions of the world to describe the same weather phenomenon. The term “hurricane” is used in the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific; “typhoon” is used in the Northwest Pacific; and “cyclone” is used the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.

What can I expect in a hurricane/typhoon/cyclone?

The effects of a storm can last long after it has passed. Regions affected may experience:

Widespread damage to the local infrastructure, such as roads, public transportation, electricity, and both land lines and cell phones; and serious shortages of adequate accommodations, food, water, and medical facilities.
Airport closures or limited flights due to high winds, flooding, or runway or terminal damage. Available flights may fill up very quickly.
Ocean/sea ports may also be impacted. Even large ships may have difficulties on the open water or need to change their scheduled route to avoid dangerous storms, high winds, and rough waves.
Extended stay in an emergency shelter with basic resources and limited medicine and food supplies.
While we will do our best to assist U.S. citizens in a crisis, you should always be aware that when you are abroad, local authorities bear primary responsibility for the safety and well-being of people living or traveling in their countries.

For more information on how we can help you in a crisis, please visit What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in Crisis.

How can I prepare?

Enroll in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Enrolling in STEP lets you sign-up to receive important information from the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate about safety conditions in your destination country and allows us to better assist you in case of an emergency.
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance.
Use our Traveler’s Checklist to help you organize an emergency kit.
Follow the instructions of local authorities concerning security and evacuation. Doing so could save your life.
Monitor local radio, television, and other sources of information to stay aware of any weather developments in the area. Minor tropical storms can quickly develop into dangerous storms, limiting the time available for a safe evacuation.
Keep in touch with your tour operators, hotel staff, cruise company, airlines, and local officials for evacuation instructions.
Update friends and family in the United States as regularly as possible to let them know how you are doing. If you use social media, consider ways to keep your status updated.
Always carry with you the telephone number and address for both your hotel and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.