Marty
17 Jul 2024
Hurricane Beryl has unfortunately taught us all a lot of things. Classed as a category 5 hurricane, Beryl rocked the Windward Islands, Jamaica and beyond. The entire island of Carriacou in Grenada was affected with 100% of residents impacted.
We learned that being prepared well in advance of hurricane season is growing more important than ever. Although the Caribbean and Latin America generate just 10% of greenhouse gas emissions, the region is disproportionately impacted by an increasing number of extreme weather events. 2023 was, unfortunately, a record year for climate hazards across those two regions in particular.
We also learned that the importance of connection during massive weather events is critical. Family and friends that have moved abroad are eager to stay in touch but also make sure those back home have access to make phone calls and check online updates. At Ding, we saw a massive surge in demand for our services around Beryl as people sought to keep connected.
With this in mind, we want to ensure you can all stay safe and connected during your own hurricane season.
Hurricane seasons are caused by tropical depressions and are generally found in tropical and subtropical regions. These are regions typically near the equator but not directly on it.
Based on many oceanic and atmospheric factors, we can somewhat predict when hurricanes and tropical storms are likely to take place, though it is less predictable nowadays. Tropical storm watches in these areas will have hurricane warnings, but you should be familiar with the seasons anyway.
The Atlantic Ocean’s hurricane season takes place between June to November. It typically affects:
United States (Eastern and Gulf Coast regions)
Mexico (Eastern regions)
Bahamas
Cuba
Jamaica
Haiti
Dominican Republic
Puerto Rico (U.S. territory)
Virgin Islands (U.S. and British territories)
Antigua and Barbuda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Dominica
Saint Lucia
Barbados
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Grenada
Trinidad and Tobago
Belize
Honduras
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Panama
Hurricane season takes place in the Eastern Pacific Ocean between May and November. The affected countries are:
Mexico (West Coast)
Guatemala
El Salvador
Honduras
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
The Western Pacific Ocean experiences the potential for hurricanes all year round. However, it peaks from June to November. The most affected countries of the region are:
Philippines
Japan
China
Taiwan
Vietnam
Cambodia
Laos
Thailand
Malaysia
Hurricane season for the North Indian Ocean is broad, typically taking place between April and December. However, it’s also expected to peak in May and November.
India
Bangladesh
Myanmar
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Pakistan
Oman (coastal regions)
Yemen (coastal regions)
The Southwest Indian Ocean has hurricane season from November to April. Countries in the region affected by this are:
Madagascar
Mozambique
Tanzania
Mauritius
Seychelles
Hurricane season hits the Australian region from November to April. This affects:
Australia (Northern regions)
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
Indonesia (Eastern regions)
East Timor
From November to April, the South Pacific Ocean experiences hurricane season. This is typically seen in:
Fiji
Vanuatu
Tonga
Samoa
New Caledonia
Tuvalu
Kiribati
There are several websites that offer global hurricane warnings with additional real-time tracking of tropical cyclones.
The NHC provides detailed forecasts, warnings, and updates on tropical cyclones affecting the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific regions. It offers satellite imagery, track maps, and advisory information.
The WMO coordinates with regional specialized meteorological centres to provide global tropical cyclone warnings and information. The website also provides useful links to regional centres around the world.
The JTWC provides warnings and forecasts for tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Southern Hemisphere. It is a joint U.S. Navy and Air Force operation.
Regardless of which region you live in, preparing for hurricane season is a similar practice globally. Here are some key tips.
The very first thing you should know how to do should a hurricane hit, is know where is safe, and how quickly you can get there. Determine safe locations where you can evacuate, such as local shelters, a friend's home or the home of relatives, but ensure they are all out of any hurricane’s path.
Typically, beyond the usual seasons you will get between 36 to 48 hours warning of hurricanes, but you still know your planned route and also consider if public transport might be affected. Consider having a plan with neighbours with vehicles if you don’t have one yourself, or offering your support to neighbours if you do.
You should have a stock of non-perishable supplies to hand at all times. During hurricane season, it’s recommended to keep these items in an easy-to-reach location.
These items should include:
Tinned food, peanut butter and more
Nuts and snack bars
Water (1 gallon or 4 litres per person per day)
First aid kit
Lighting (ideally a wind-up torch)
Battery powered radio
Spare batteries
Powerbanks for phones
Spare clothes
Hygiene supplies
Towels
Personal documents (Passport, driving license, insurance)
Pet supplies if applicable
For documents and electronics, it’s also worth considering waterproof containers.
While getting to safety should always be the priority, these supplies will reduce your dependency on external services in the event of an emergency in a nearby area.
You should always, when possible, have adequate insurance for your property and belongings. Contact your insurance provider and make sure you are covered. You should specifically ask about hurricane coverage, including wind and flood damage.
It’s highly recommended that you also document your belongings with an approximate value, serial numbers and any original receipts you have.
Hopefully, you’ll never need this information, but in the event you do having it will make insurance claims much easier.
If you have old photographs without digital copies, it’s a good idea to make digital copies in the event sentimental items are lost.
I know I’ve said this a few times already, but the priority at all times should be following your evacuation plan and getting to safety. However, you should still reinforce your home. This could save valuable belongings but could provide you with shelter in the event that evacuation isn’t possible.
Install storm shutters or board up windows to protect against flying debris. Look for, secure or bring inside any loose items such as outdoor furniture, decorations, and other items that could become projectiles in high winds.
Long before hurricane season, you should reinforce garage doors, inspect your roof for loose shingles, and ensure your home’s foundation is secure.
Be sure to pay attention to your surroundings after a storm too. Buildings or overhead power lines may have become damaged and unsafe. Avoid wading into floodwaters as they may contain hazards.
Keeping in touch with family, friends, neighbours, news outlets and emergency services during hurricane season is a critical element of being ready. Compile a list of emergency contacts, including family, friends, and local emergency services.
It’s good to have this list on your phone, but you should have at least one physical copy made too, two is even better. You could also write down these details and keep them in the same safe, dry place as your passport and other documents.
You and your family should agree on a meeting point to rally at should everyone become separated.
Keep up to date with the latest news and alerts. You should have a radio and know which radio stations to tune into for the latest news too.
Mobile apps are also incredibly useful. Apps can help you track weather and get live updates on tropical storm warnings and more. Many regions regularly affected by extreme weather have apps designed specifically for delivering critical information on weather and evacuation routes.
Have these apps downloaded, up-to-date and with push notifications enabled.
Finally, keep your phone topped up if on prepay. During Beryl, we saw a massive increase in top-ups being sent to the affected areas. This was loved ones abroad ensuring their family and friends back home had the minutes and data they needed to stay connected, stay safe and call to say they were safe too.
Ding provides the ability to send a prepaid recharge internationally to over 150 countries. We see our service as being essential for keeping people informed during an extreme weather event from the usage we’ve seen it get during Beryl and other extreme weather events. We’ve now also seen a large number of people sending eGifts for groceries back home to take some of the burden of recovery off loved ones.
Related blog posts
Related blog posts