The hurricane travel season. Are you ready?
If you're travelling to a hurricane-prone area, here's what you need to know.
With global warming, the summers going forward are increasingly projected to be more active in terms of hurricanes and tropical storms. And, while the official hurricane travel and tropical season typically starts June 1 and runs through to November 30th, there are frequently large storms that fall outside of these dates.
For roughly six months of the year, travellers to the Atlantic side of the United States, Mexico or the Caribbean need to take into consideration that they may be travelling during hurricane season.
What does hurricane travel season mean to you?
If last year was a relatively quiet year for tropical storm activity, many tourists may think it's safer to travel to hurricane prone areas of the U.S, Mexico and the Caribbean. But it would be wrong not to take some precautionary measures if you're planning to travel to these areas during the hurricane travel season.
Here are some key hurricane travel tips to consider when planning your vacation during this year's hurricane season:
- Be sure to keep track of weather trends in and around the area to where you'll be travelling. Hurricanes are unpredictable. Not even the best meteorologists can predict if a hurricane will change its course. A good site to check for up-to-date and accurate information is Canada's Consular Affairs at www.travel.gc.ca. You can also check the National Hurricane Centre which is affiliated with the NOAA (www.nhc.noaa.gov) for additional information.
- Leave a comprehensive itinerary with a friend, family member, or neighbour in case of an emergency. If you are travelling to more than one city, make sure to leave a detailed summary of all flights and hotels for each city you're visiting. Information should include flight details, cruise ship details and port schedule, hotel name, location and room number.
- Carry with you, contact details for the Operations Centre of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. If you need hurricane travel assistance while on vacation they may be able to help. The Operations Centre is open 24/7 and accepts collect calls. All contact numbers and instructions are available at: www.travel.gc.ca.
- Register with the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate prior to or upon arrival when going on vacation. You can do this online at www.travel.gc.ca and make sure that page 4 of your passport is accurate and up-to-date. Make a few photocopies of this page (in case your passport is lost or stolen during your trip), keep a copy with you that is separate from your passport and keep the rest with the travel documentation that you hand over to family, friends and/or neighbours. This could be really useful in case of a hurricane travel related disaster.
- Travel insurance is your best bet for beating hurricane travel-related incidents that can affect your vacation. We all remember what happened a while back with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hitting the Gulf coast. The unfortunate reality is hurricanes like these can happen again. The travel insurance typically best suited for this type of precaution would be an all-inclusive or comprehensive travel insurance plan. An all-inclusive or comprehensive plan covers trip cancellation and/or interruption prior to or during your trip on top of the basic essentials an emergency medical plan covers.
At Kanetix.ca, you're able to shop around for the travel insurance rate that is right for you. If you're unsure how an all-inclusive or comprehensive plan works, Kanetix.ca can help. Don't just settle for the travel insurance you're offered when you book your trip. You can quickly compare pricing and plans side-by-side. Learn more and get a quote today at www.kanetix.ca/travel-insurance - where travel insurance companies compete for your business, and you save time and money.
Make sure you're properly prepared for hurricane travel season. Make sure you don't forget to purchase travel insurance.
