Essential Hurricane Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers

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Being born in Florida and having lived here most of my life, I have experienced my fair share of hurricanes and tropical storms. Living through the the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons in South Florida was an experience that provided important lessons on preparing for and surviving storms. While I’m not a professional in law enforcement or emergency services, I’d like to provide some essential hurricane safety tips for solo female travelers that might find themselves caught up in a storm.

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Before Your Trip:

Put your safety first, even if it means changing your travel arrangements.

Investigate the Season: Believe me, timing is everything when it comes to avoiding hurricanes and other storms. Before you make your travel plans, make sure to research the hurricane / cyclone / typhoon / extreme rain season for where you’re going.

As someone who’s lived through multiple storm seasons, I can’t stress enough how important it is to avoid high-risk areas during peak times if possible. Choose another destination or change your dates if possible. Some rain and hurricane seasons are worse than others but these events are unpredictable.

For Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, the hurricane season starts on June 1st and runs through November 30th. However storms can form outside of this timeframe. Many people avoid traveling to or through Florida during these months because a hurricane can form in 3-5 days and things can change very quickly. I usually will not book travel during hurricane season without insurance
Travel Insurance: This is a non-negotiable, especially if you will be investing a significant amount of money on the trip. Make sure that the travel insurance you choose covers weather-related cancellations and evacuations.

Consider spending a little more for “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage. This type of insurance can be a lifesaver when plans are disrupted due to unpredictable weather.

Purchasing travel insurance for your trips is becoming an increasingly important part of planning a trip. You can use this tool to compare different policies:
Emergency Contact: Choose someone back home as your emergency contact. Share your itinerary and important documents with them. Also, this should be a part of your safety routine as a solo female traveler. Always let your whereabouts be known to someone you trust.

During Your Trip

Stay Informed: Download reliable weather apps and follow local news sources. Pay attention to weather forecasts and any warnings issued by local authorities.
Know Your Location and Surroundings: Familiarize yourself with your accommodation’s evacuation procedures. If you travel to an area known for storms, make a note of the location of the nearest storm shelters.

Learn what number to dial to for emergency services because 911 is not the universal emergency number.
Emergency Kit: Prepare a basic emergency kit including containing your medications and your first aid kit.
Communication Plan: Have a plan to stay in touch with your emergency contact. Remember that cell phone service may be disrupted during severe weather. If you have iPhone 14 or newer, your phone now serves as a satellite phone.

If a Storm is Approaching

Follow Local Guidelines: This is not the time to be a badass or a rebel. Adhere to all evacuation orders and safety instructions given by local authorities. if your zone is called to evacuate, GO! Evacuation saves lives.

A Safety Tip: This one might seem a bit morbid, but it’s important. If you decide to stay against evacuation orders, make sure you have a permanent marker handy. Write your name, emergency contact number, and date of birth on your arm. This information will be necessary in case of an emergency and you are unresponsive.
Secure Your Belongings: If evacuating, take your valuables, medications and important documents with you. If you decide to stay put or to hunker down, move your belongings to higher ground if possible.
Stay Indoors: Hurricanes are not just one event. While they travel, their outer bands can be felt hours and sometimes a day before the actual storm arrives. Hurricane Milton caused multiple tornadoes to develop almost 10 hours before making landfall.
Expand your Emergency Kit:
In addition to a first aid kit and your medications, add the following:

Bottled water and non-perishable food for a few days

Flashlight and extra batteries

Portable phone charger (solar powered preferred)

Important documents (in a waterproof bag or container)
Be Ready to Adapt: Your travel plans may need to change quickly. Be prepared to extend your stay or find alternative routes home if necessary.

During the 2017 Hurricane Season, I went on a cruise to the Caribbean while my family and home in Fort Lauderdale were dealing with Hurricane Irma. Both the Port of Miami and Port Everglades experienced major destruction as a result of the storm. I did not originally plan to cruise during a hurricane but I did not buy travel insurance and therefore would have lost my money if I had not gone on the cruise. On the day of embarkation, the storm had not shown a definitive path. The cruisline moved ahead with the cruise but changed our itinerary for ports that they felt would be safer to navigate to.

The cruise, originally planned for 5 days, ended up lasting close to 2 weeks. I was fortunate to inform my employer and they allowed me to take additional time off due to the effects of the hurricane.

A few cruise passengers from places other than Florida decided to make their way back home after week 1. Many got off in Cozumel and booked flights back to their homes. It is important to be able to adapt if something goes wrong during your travels. These expenses are usually covered by insurance but you must read your policy before purchasing to ensure that you understand what will be covered and what will not. You can always contact their customer service to discuss.
Seek Help if Needed: Don’t hesitate to reach out to your country’s embassy or consulate if you need assistance during or after the storm.

One thing I learned during the pandemic is that if your country’s government places you on an evacuation flight, you will be made to sign a promissory note and will be required to pay back the cost. It is usually calculated at full economy fare but I had a few acquaintances stuck around the world when the world was shutting down its borders.

One group of people I know of were stuck in Peru for 9 days after borders had closed. They were provided with a spot on a US evacuation flight. They mentioned being charged $3,000 per person to be evacuated from Peru back to the US. You have to check with your travel insurance provider if that cost would be reimbursed.

If a Storm Hits While You’re Traveling Solo

If you find yourself caught in a hurricane, tornado, or severe storm while solo traveling, your immediate actions can be crucial for your safety.

Here’s what to do:

For Hurricanes:

Stay Indoors: If you haven’t been ordered to evacuate, stay inside a sturdy building, away from windows and glass doors. if you risk going outside, you might encounter a live cable. Going outside can be dangerous, especially during storms. You could encounter downed power lines, which can be deadly if you come into contact with them while standing in water.

Reinforce Windows: Hotels may sometimes provide materials to reinforce windows such as hurricane shutters or plywood. This will provide extra protection against flying debris. If you are staying at an Airbnb or other vacation rental, check with the owners. They should advise what the procedure will be.

Identify Safe Rooms: Locate a small, interior room with no windows, such as a bathroom or closet, to serve as a safe haven during the storm.

Clear Window Areas: Remove any furniture or objects that could be thrown through windows by strong winds.
Move to Higher Ground: If you’re in a flood-prone area, move to the highest level of the building, but not the roof.
Avoid Floodwaters: Never attempt to walk or drive through flooded areas.
Be Patient: Wait for the “all clear” from local authorities before going outside or attempting to travel.

For Tornadoes:

Seek Appropriate Shelter: Move to the lowest floor of a sturdy building, in an interior room without windows (like a bathroom or closet).
Protect Yourself: Use your arms to cover your head and neck, or get under a sturdy piece of furniture if possible.
Stay Informed: Keep monitoring local news or weather apps for updates on tornado warnings and all-clear signals.”
Be Cautious Afterwards: Watch out for debris and downed power lines when you emerge.

For Severe Storms:

Find Shelter: Get inside a building as quickly as possible. Avoid open areas and tall objects like trees where lightining can easily strike.
Stay Away from Windows: Move to an interior room if there’s a risk of strong winds or hail.
Be Prepared for Power Outages: Have your emergency kit, including a flashlight and portable charger, readily accessible.

General Tips for All Situations:

Stay Calm: Panic can lead to poor decision-making. Take deep breaths and focus on following safety procedures.
Communicate Your Situation: If it’s safe to do so, contact your emergency contact to let them know your status and location.
Help Others if Safe: If you’re in a position to safely assist others, do so, but don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk.
Document Everything: Once the immediate danger has passed, take photos of any damage for insurance purposes.
Seek Medical Help if Needed: Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if you’re injured, even if the injuries seem minor.

Remember, as a solo traveler, your safety is entirely in your hands. Trust your instincts, follow local guidance, and prioritize your well-being above all else. Being prepared and knowing how to react can make a significant difference in emergency situations.

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Share Your Hurricane Experience

Have you weathered a hurricane during your travels?

I would love to hear your story!

Share your experience and any tips you learned in the comments below. Your experience could help fellow travelers stay safe.

Staying Up-to-Date

Hurricane safety information and best practices are constantly evolving. I commit to updating this post annually with the latest safety tips, statistics, and expert recommendations. Check back before your next trip to a hurricane-prone destination for the most current advice.

Last updated: October 2024

Next scheduled update: June 2025

Resource List

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? For tips on handling conflict, border closures, a pandemic and other issues while traveling click here.

? For general travel safety tips, please make sure to read 10 TIPS FOR SAFE SOLO TRAVEL LATINAS

? Tips from the US Department of State specifically for Women Travelers.

? STEP Program

? If this is your first time considering solo travel, you might find my Guide to Solo Travel helpful. It covers everything from planning your first trip and even Travel Hacking 101.

? For tips on staying healthy while traveling, check out the CDC’s Traveler Website.

Wishing you the safest travels,