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Last Updated: June 23, 2010 8:23 EDT
Still Valid: September 7, 2010 14:02 EDT
Originally Posted: May 28, 2010 13:40 EDT

Hurricane Season

The hurricane season lasts from early June to late November, affecting the north Atlantic and northeast Pacific oceans, where tropical depressions and storms may develop into hurricanes. The most threatened areas are the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and the east and Gulf coasts of the United States—specifically, Florida, Louisiana and Texas.

 

Travel disruptions

 

Hurricanes often cause extensive damage to infrastructure, cutting off access to transportation, emergency assistance, health care, telecommunications, power and even food and water. Although the most severe damage usually occurs along coastlines, hurricanes can also cause significant damage inland when heavy rains cause flash floods and landslides.

 

In the event of a hurricane, travellers may be evacuated from their hotels to emergency shelters, and thus find themselves stranded for days waiting for flights to resume and roads to reopen. The Government of Canada’s ability to assist Canadian citizens may also be limited in these circumstances.

Necessary precautions

If you choose to travel to a hurricane-prone destination during hurricane season, taking the following steps can help reduce your personal risk:

• Check the Government of Canada’s Travel Reports and Warnings website for up-to-date, essential information on your destination.
• Register your itinerary online at voyage.gc.ca or with the Canadian government office in the country you plan to visit.
• Ensure that family or friends in Canada are also aware of your itinerary, and that someone in Canada has copies of your travel documents (such as your passport’s identification page, itinerary and accommodations, and insurance policy).
• Confirm travel arrangements prior to departure and purchase comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers trip cancellation or interruption in the event of a hurricane.
• While you are travelling, monitor local news and weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities and tour operators.

Useful links 

• Up-to-date weather forecasts for the region are available from the U.S. government’s National Hurricane Center.
• Environment Canada’s Canadian Hurricane Centre also provides recommendations on hurricane preparedness.