Natural disasters can strike without warning. When you're traveling in an unfamiliar place, knowing what to do can mean the difference between life and death.
Earthquake Safety for Travelers
High-Risk Zones
Japan (Ring of Fire)Turkey, Greece, Italy (Mediterranean)California, Alaska (USA)Nepal, Indonesia, PhilippinesChile, Peru, MexicoDuring an Earthquake
If Indoors:
**Drop, Cover, Hold On** — Get under a sturdy table or deskStay away from windows, mirrors, and exterior wallsDo NOT run outside during shakingIf in bed: stay there, protect your head with a pillowIf in a high-rise: do NOT use elevatorsIf Outdoors:
Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, and power linesDrop to the groundProtect your head and neckIf in a Car:
Pull over to a clear areaStop the car and engage handbrakeStay in the car until shaking stopsAvoid bridges, overpasses, and underpassesAfter an Earthquake
Check yourself for injuriesExpect aftershocks (can be nearly as strong)Listen to local news (radio/social media) for informationStay away from damaged buildingsIf near the coast: move to higher ground immediately (tsunami risk)Contact your embassy and familyEssential Earthquake Gear
**[Emergency whistle](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07JHZFQDS?tag=ultrion21-21)** — Signal rescuers**[First aid kit](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07F4FLX5G?tag=ultrion21-21)** — Treat injuries**[Portable charger](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09VPT7Z3H?tag=ultrion21-21)** — Keep phone alive**[Water purification](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00K3217U2?tag=ultrion21-21)** — Clean water may be scarceHurricane / Typhoon Safety
Hurricane Season
Atlantic/Caribbean: June 1 - November 30Pacific (Typhoons): May - NovemberIndian Ocean: April - June and September - NovemberBefore a Hurricane
Monitor weather forecasts (National Hurricane Center, local news)Follow evacuation orders immediatelyStock up on water, non-perishable food, and medicationsCharge all devices and fill your car's gas tankIdentify the nearest evacuation shelterDuring a Hurricane
Stay indoors away from windowsMove to an interior room (bathroom or closet)Do NOT go outside during the "eye" (calm period)Use flashlights, not candlesKeep your phone on power-saving modeAfter a Hurricane
Wait for official all-clear before going outsideAvoid flooded roads (6 inches of water can sweep you away)Stay away from downed power linesCheck structural damage before entering buildingsBoil or purify tap water until declared safeTsunami Safety
Warning Signs
Natural warning signs (may come before official alerts):
Strong ground shaking near the coastOcean water rapidly receding from the beachLoud roar from the oceanUnusual wave activityIf you see ANY of these signs:
Run to higher ground immediately — do NOT wait for an official alertMove at least 1.5 km inland or 30m above sea levelIf you can't reach higher ground: go to the upper floor of a reinforced concrete building (4th floor or higher)Stay away until officials say it's safe (tsunamis come in multiple waves)Tsunami Travel Tips
Know if your destination is in a tsunami zoneIdentify evacuation routes (marked in many coastal cities)Save local emergency alert numbersThe first wave is often NOT the largestFlood Safety
Before a Flood
Monitor weather and flood warningsMove to higher ground if advisedTurn off utilities if instructedDuring a Flood
**Turn Around, Don't Drown** — Never drive or walk through flood water15 cm of moving water can knock you down30 cm can carry away a carMove to the highest floor (but NOT into a closed attic)After a Flood
Wait for officials to declare water safeAvoid flood water (contaminated with sewage and chemicals)Photograph damage for insurance claimsDo not use electrical equipment until checkedWildfire Safety
High-Risk Areas
Australia (December-February)California, Oregon (USA: August-October)Southern Europe (July-September)Amazon region (Brazil: dry season)During a Wildfire
Follow evacuation orders immediately — wildfires move fastIf trapped: stay inside a building, close all windows and doorsFill sinks and tubs with waterStay low to the floor (smoke rises)If in a car: park in a clear area, stay in car, cover yourselfVolcano Safety
High-Risk Destinations
Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Italy (Etna, Vesuvius)Iceland, Hawaii, Central AmericaDuring a Volcanic Eruption
Follow evacuation ordersIf outdoors: protect your head, seek shelter indoorsClose all windows and doors, seal gapsWear a mask or breathe through cloth (ash is dangerous to inhale)Avoid driving (ash damages engines)Tornado Safety
High-Risk Areas
USA (Midwest "Tornado Alley": April-June)Bangladesh, parts of EuropeDuring a Tornado
Move to a basement or interior room on the lowest floorStay away from windowsProtect your head and neckIf outdoors: lie flat in a ditch or low area (away from trees)If in a car: do NOT seek shelter under an overpassGeneral Natural Disaster Preparedness
Before You Travel
**Check disaster risks** for your destination**Register with your embassy** (elefand for German citizens)**Save emergency numbers** for your destination**Buy comprehensive travel insurance** that covers natural disasters**Pack emergency gear**Essential Emergency Kit
**[First aid kit](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07F4FLX5G?tag=ultrion21-21)****[Water purification tablets](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00K3217U2?tag=ultrion21-21)****[Portable charger](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09VPT7Z3H?tag=ultrion21-21)** (20,000mAh+)**[Emergency blanket](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07JHZFQDS?tag=ultrion21-21)****[Whistle](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07JHZFQDS?tag=ultrion21-21)** for signaling**[Dust mask](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07PXGQC1Q?tag=ultrion21-21)** for ash/smokeCash (small denominations)Copies of important documentsApps to Install
**Red Cross Emergency Apps** (earthquake, hurricane, first aid)**MyShake** (earthquake early warning)**Windy** (weather forecasting)**what3words** (precise location sharing)**Google Translate** (download offline languages)Emergency Communication Plan
Designate an out-of-area emergency contactSet up regular check-in timesHave a backup communication method (satellite messenger, email)Know your embassy's emergency numberDoes Travel Insurance Cover Natural Disasters?
Generally yes, but with conditions:
Covered:
Trip cancellation if a natural disaster makes your destination uninhabitableTrip interruption if you need to evacuateEmergency medical treatment for disaster-related injuriesEvacuation and repatriationNot Covered:
"Known events" — if you book after a disaster is forecastTrip cancellation for fear of travel (use CFAR instead)Some "force majeure" clauses may limit coverage**Always read the fine print.** Check our [travel insurance guide](/travel-insurance-guide) for policies that cover natural disasters.
Conclusion
Natural disasters can't be prevented, but their impact can be minimized. Know your destination's disaster risks, prepare an emergency kit, save local emergency numbers, and buy comprehensive travel insurance. Most importantly: when officials say evacuate, listen.
Sources
USGS: Earthquake Hazards (usgs.gov)National Hurricane Center (nhc.noaa.gov)Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (ptwc.weather.gov)WHO: Emergency and Humanitarian Action (who.int)GDACS (Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System): gdacs.org