What To Do If A Natural Disaster Strikes While Abroad: The Ultimate Guide

A natural disaster occurring in your destination while abroad is one of the most terrifying things many travelers can imagine.

Keeping yourself safe in any emergency situation is critical — and when traveling, there are extra steps to take. Regardless of the type of natural disaster, it’s essential to take as many precautions as possible. Being informed about the types of natural disasters your destination faces and when they occur is a preventive safety step that you can take during your travel planning. Another is familiarizing yourself with the destination’s specialized emergency services and alert systems in case those natural disasters occur. Also, strongly consider getting travel insurance before any trip.

Tourists should check their home country’s travel advisories. For example, American travelers may find pertinent information about natural disasters common in their destination through the U.S. Department of State. United Kingdom-based travelers should educate themselves on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s destination-specific warnings. Governments can also provide guidance on how their citizens can safely evacuate or exit a country after a natural disaster. See if your home country has a designated enrollment program that registers its nationals traveling abroad.

When you’re at your destination, it’s imperative that you stay informed on local weather, news, and transportation information. If you’re at a hotel or resort, the staff there may have specific instructions regarding the best protocol and ways of staying safe. However, if you must flee, take your medications, passport, and other identification with you if you can. Be in contact with your airline regarding changes or updates to your travel arrangements.

If you or a companion is a traveler with disabilities or health conditions, note that guidelines may have to be adjusted or reframed. Also, even in times you must flee, try to keep essential medical equipment with you.

Earthquakes

When an earthquake occurs, if you’re inside, remain inside, and if you’re outside, stay outside. 

If you’re outside, try to be in an open space where things like debris, trees, powerlines, and other objects won’t be able to fall on you.

In a multitude of instances, the best protocol to practice during an earthquake is “drop, cover, and hold on.” The steps instruct you to get onto your hands and knees and crawl underneath a stable shelter, such as a sturdy table. Then, use one arm to cover your neck and head, and use your other arm to hold onto something, such as the leg of a table, to stabilize yourself until the earthquake stops.

If you’re driving, you should pull over and put your parking brake on.

Be prepared for aftershocks, as well as other natural disasters that earthquakes may prompt.

Flooding

If you’re in a flood watch or warning zone, it is best to heed the advice of local governments, officials, and news outlets. If you are advised or mandated to evacuate, please do so.

Avoid going through floodwater, as it can be filled with sewage, chemicals, and many other hazards. Additionally, do not go around any electrical equipment that’s possibly been soaked or has fallen, including power lines and wires. 

Consume only clean drinking water, and bottled or canned food and beverages, and perishables that haven’t gotten wet and are not spoiled. Get to higher ground and unplug appliances if you can.

Do not try to drive through floodwater. 

Hurricanes

If you’re in a hurricane watch or warning zone, it is best to heed the advice of local governments, officials, and news outlets. If you are advised or mandated to evacuate, please do so and follow the routes recommended as the safest.

Stay inside with an emergency kit including critical medications, food, drinking water, flashlights, batteries, and your important identification paperwork. Make sure you know the local resources providing updated information and safety tips for your destination. While inside during a hurricane, stay away from windows and unplug appliances if you can.

Do not travel through flooded areas. Check in with your accommodations (if they don’t reach out to you first) to get insight on the best ways to stay safe.

Wildfires

It is best to heed the advice of local governments, officials, and news outlets if you’re in an evacuation zone. If you are advised or mandated to evacuate, please do so and follow the routes recommended as the safest. If authorities recommend you stay inside, then do so.

Avoid hot ash, embers, or anything that could burn you. Consume clean drinking water to stay hydrated. Additionally, do not go around any electrical equipment that’s fallen or possibly been damaged, including power lines and wires. 

If you have to flee urgently, take your passport and crucial identification documents if possible. Also, try to protect yourself from smoke and hazardous air inhalation. Be mindful of your health and get medical attention if you need to.

Volcanic Eruptions

Listen to the directives of local officials, especially if you’re in an evacuation zone. Take your passport, necessary documentation, and medications if you can.

If you’re staying inside, close all doors, windows, and openings to the outside to prevent toxic air or volcanic ash from entering. If you’re outside, try to get indoors as soon as possible. Avoid driving through difficult smog and ash that causes reduced visibility.

Sandstorms, Dust Storms, And Haboobs

Protecting your lungs is key. Avoid inhaling dust, sand, or other airborne pollutants. Children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are particularly vulnerable.

Staying indoors during these natural disasters and wearing high-quality face masks can be helpful.

If you’re driving and visibility is reduced, pull over, turn off your lights, and put on the emergency brake. If you can’t pull over, it’s best to keep driving at a safe speed with your lights on. Honk the horn on occasion to notify other drivers of your presence.

Tsunamis

Listening to information provided by local officials and authorities is critical, particularly if you’re under a tsunami alert, watch, advisory, or warning. During this type of natural disaster, you want to be as high up and inland as you can be. Know that a tsunami could strike following an earthquake.

Avoid areas where there is road, infrastructure, or building damage. Also, stay away from floodwater and damaged electrical wires and materials. Consume clean drinking water and unimpacted foods. Do not go near bodies of water during a tsunami. Be prepared for flooding.

Natural signs of a tsunami coming include unusual ocean behavior. Ready.gov says, “If you are in the water, then grab onto something that floats, such as a raft or tree trunk. If you are in a boat, face the direction of the waves and head out to sea. If you are in a harbor, go inland.”

What Else Should I Consider Regarding Natural Disasters When I Travel?

In instances where you’re inside during a natural disaster, note that some circumstances could create gas leaks, which can expose you to carbon monoxide. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, turn off any gas lines or any devices or appliances that use gas, oil, wood, charcoal, or propane. If you start feeling symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning — dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, etc. — get fresh air (or go outside if you can) immediately.