Staying Connected

How to Prepare for a Hurricane

Marty

17 Jul 2024

nasa image of a hurricane
nasa image of a hurricane

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.

rafael-filipino-customer-using-ding
rafael-filipino-customer-using-ding

With this in mind, we want to ensure you can all stay safe and connected during your own hurricane season.

Hurricane Seasons of the World

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.

Atlantic Hurricane Season

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

Eastern Pacific Ocean Hurricane Season

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

Western Pacific Ocean Hurricane Season

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

North Indian OceanHurricane Season

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)

Southwest Indian Ocean Hurricane Season

The Southwest Indian Ocean has hurricane season from November to April. Countries in the region affected by this are: 

  • Madagascar

  • Mozambique

  • Tanzania

  • Mauritius

  • Seychelles

Australian Region Hurricane Season

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

South Pacific Ocean Hurricane Season

From November to April, the South Pacific Ocean experiences hurricane season. This is typically seen in:

  • Fiji

  • Vanuatu

  • Tonga

  • Samoa

  • New Caledonia

  • Tuvalu

  • Kiribati

Hurricane Information Sources

There are several websites that offer global hurricane warnings with additional real-time tracking of tropical cyclones.

National Hurricane Center (NHC)

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.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

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.

Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)

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.

jtwc website
jtwc website

Tips to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Regardless of which region you live in, preparing for hurricane season is a similar practice globally. Here are some key tips.

Create an Evacuation Strategy

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. 

Gather Supplies

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.

Check Your Insurance and Log Your Belongings

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.

Reinforce Your Home

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.

Establish a Communication Plan

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.

Excellent company. Fast, reliable service. Easy to use. Used a great number of times and never had a single problem.
I particularly like that besides a top-up for their mobile, you can buy a shopping voucher, such as Mercury Drug to pay for medicines and that too is instantaneous. Really handy in an emergency. Absolutely great service.
Excellent company. Fast, reliable service. Easy to use. Used a great number of times and never had a single problem.
I particularly like that besides a top-up for their mobile, you can buy a shopping voucher, such as Mercury Drug to pay for medicines and that too is instantaneous. Really handy in an emergency. Absolutely great service.

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