There's a severe weather incident

Last Updated
Wednesday, 21/09/2022

 

This page provides practical advice on what to do if you're overseas and experiencing a severe weather incident, or if one approaches.

It covers practical information and advice on what to do before or during a:

It also lists key severe weather monitoring services around the world and where you can get help.

This page is for Australians already overseas. If you're planning your trip before you go, see our general advice and information about severe weather.

Cyclones and tornados

What to do if a cyclone or tornado approaches

Gather information

Decide whether to stay or go

  • Decide whether to shelter in place or leave the area. Always follow the advice of local authorities.

Get to safety

  • If sheltering in place, prepare for the arrival by gathering supplies, preparing your accommodation, or evacuating to a shelter.

Stay in touch

  • Contact your loved ones and insurer to inform them of the situation.

During the storm

  • Stay inside and follow instructions from authorities.
  • Stay informed through emergency radio stations.

 

If a cyclone, tornado or extreme weather front approaches, you must make decisions quickly. Don't delay. If you leave it too late, you could get stuck. This is particularly deadly if you're somewhere that can't withstand the extreme forces of a severe weather event.

1. Gather information

Gather as much information about the cyclone, tornado or weather front as you can. Do this quickly. You may not be able to access information later, or act on any new information you get.

Talk to your hotel manager, tour guide or local authorities. Listen to the radio and watch the news on TV.

  • Location and path. Find out where the cyclone, tornado or weather front is now, and where it's going. Understand that precise paths are hard to predict. Even if experts think it will miss your location, you may still be at risk.
  • Strength. Find out how powerful it's expected to be when it makes landfall in your location. It may start to weaken on the way or get stronger.
  • Emergency shelters. Find out where your nearest emergency shelter is. It could be purpose-built or an existing building that's reinforced to handle extreme forces.

2. Decide whether to stay or leave

In many cases, it's up to you if you stay in your destination or leave.

In other cases, local authorities may issue an official evacuation order. If you're on a cruise, the captain may decide for all passengers.

  • Official evacuations. If local authorities declare you must leave, then leave. Staying despite an evacuation order puts your life at risk. It may be illegal to stay. You may void your travel insurance.
  • Boat travel and cruises. The ship's captain is responsible for passenger safety. Follow their instructions. They'll decide whether to evacuate passengers to shore, outrun the cyclone or weather the storm.
  • Travelling by air. You may have difficulty getting flights before the severe weather incident hits. Strong winds may ground flights, and many airlines will cancel all incoming flights when severe weather approaches. If you intend to fly out, get your tickets quickly, or you might miss out.
  • Travelling by land. You may be able to travel by car, bus or train before the severe weather arrives. Be aware the demand for tickets may be high. Get your tickets quickly. Strong winds and rain before an event hits can still pose a safety risk. Especially for smaller, lighter vehicles.
  • Travelling by foot. If there's a cyclone or tornado, don't try to evacuate the area by foot. If you're hiking or trekking in the area as it approaches, get to safety quickly. Find somewhere populated, with a shelter, or transport out. Otherwise, find somewhere safe to wait it out, away from large bodies of water.

3. Get to safety if you stay

  • Get to an emergency shelter. In most cases, a local emergency shelter is the safest place to be during a cyclone. However, you're most at risk when you're getting to it. Never venture out once a cyclone has already made landfall.
  • Get to a sturdier building. If the building you're in isn't built to withstand a cyclone or tornado and you can't make it to a shelter in time, find a sturdier structure. This could be a shopping mall, low-rise hotel, hospital, or other solid building.
  • Avoid bodies of water. In a cyclone, getting further away from the shore and on higher ground is usually better.
  • Shelter in place. If it's too late, get somewhere safer, or you're already somewhere built to withstand cyclones or tornadoes, shelter in place.

4. Prepare to shelter in place

  • Follow instructions. If possible, follow directions from your hotel manager, tour guide or emergency services. Draw from their experience from past weather events in the area.
  • Turn off the gas in a cyclone or tornado. This reduces the risk of fire if severe winds damage the gas pipes.
  • Charge your devices. If the power is cut off, you won't be able to charge them. You may need them to stay informed about the cyclone.
  • Get water bottles. The water may be shut off once the cyclone makes landfall. You'll need clean drinking water. After a cyclone, water-borne infectious diseases are common.
  • Gather supplies. Consider torches, radios, batteries, food, and water. You won't be able to venture out for supplies once the cyclone or tornado hits.
  • Wear sturdy shoes and other practical clothing that can help protect you from debris and sharp hazards.
  • Close and cover windows. Extreme winds and flying debris often shatter glass. Consider barricading windows with a heavy piece of furniture.

5. Contact your loved ones and insurer

  • Contact your family and friends. If they've heard about the cyclone, tornado, or severe cold front through the news, they'll fear for your safety. Tell them where you are and how you are.
  • Contact your travel insurer. Most have 24-hour emergency numbers you can call from overseas. Some have online systems to register in an emergency.

6. Stay put

Once you've committed to sheltering in place somewhere safe, stick to it.

Don't go outside. If you change your mind after severe weather hits and decide to venture out, you risk injury or death.

Only venture out when local authorities confirm it's safe to do so. In a cyclone, this may be when you're in the eye of the storm. Or once it has completely passed.

7. During a cyclone or tornado

  • Don't go outside. Even if it looks like it's calming down or passing. Extreme gusts of wind and lightning strikes can occur without warning. Wait until authorities confirm it's safe.
  • Stay away from windows. Extreme winds break windows. The shattered glass can seriously injure you.
  • Don't use the stove, even if you have power. A sudden gust that breaks a window could knock your pots off, causing burns or other trauma.
  • Don't use fire. Don't use matches, candles, gas lanterns, camp stoves, cigarettes, or any flames. Severe winds can damage gas lines. Your flame, even a small one, could ignite it.
  • Avoid electrical equipment. This includes plugged-in and handheld items. Lightning during any storm may follow the wiring inside a building. You could get electrocuted.
  • Stay informed. Listen to local news. If possible, keep a battery-powered radio. If you have internet, follow online news from official reporting services.

Severe winter weather

Severe winter weather is a risk for Australians travelling in many countries. Those travelling to cooler parts of North America or Europe between November and March.

What to do when an extreme cold front approaches

  • Stock up on supplies. Get enough food and purified water. You may not be able to go outside or use the roads when the cold front arrives.
  • Get the right equipment. Make sure you have the right equipment in your accommodation and car to stay safe and warm if you get stuck.
  • Keep your accommodation warm. Even when you're not in it. It's important to ensure the inside temperature never drops below freezing. If water freezes in pipes, they may burst.
  • Get warm clothes. Ensure you've got the right gear, even if you don't plan to venture out during the storm. If your heating fails, you'll need to layer up to prevent hypothermia and frostbite.

Learn more about preparing for extreme cold weather (US National Weather Service).

What to do during a severe winter weather incident

  • Don't go outside. Unless you absolutely must. Wait until the extreme cold front passes and authorities have deemed it safe to go out.
  • Avoid travelling by road. Visibility may reduce while you're out. The road may be blocked by snow. You could get stuck. If the road is icy, your vehicle could lose control.
  • Stay warm and dry. Prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Ensure the place is warm enough to prevent water from freezing in the pipes and bursting them.

See tips on how to stay safe in extreme cold (Consumer Reports). Learn more about how to stay safe indoors during a winter storm (US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention).

Where to get help

If there's a crisis in or near your location, you have help options in your destination and from back home.

In some circumstances, the Australian Government may be able to help. In most cases, you'll need to exhaust all other avenues before seeking emergency consular assistance.

Understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter.

Local authorities

Seek help from local authorities first. Emergency services in most destinations have processes in place for severe weather incidents.

See 'local contacts' in the travel advisory for your destination.

Family and friends

Reach out to your family and friends and ask for help. Especially if you need money. Or if you need someone to help coordinate flights out.

Travel insurance

Contact your travel insurer. If you can't find their emergency number, look them up on Find an Insurer (Insurance council of Australia).

How the Australian Government can help

The Australian Government may be able to help. However, we're limited how and when we may support Australians overseas.

In many cases, you'll need to exhaust all other support options first.

For emergency consular assistance:

It's important you understand our limits, especially in a crisis. Read the Consular Services Charter.

What we can do

  • We can choose to initiate a crisis response when we know Australians are, or could be, affected.
  • We can provide emergency consular assistance.
  • We can contact your relatives or friends, with your consent
  • We can give you a list of local hospitals with doctors who speak English if you need medical assistance.
  • We can help you replace a lost or water damaged passport.
  • We can help keep you informed about the crisis in your destination if you subscribed.

What we can't do

  • We can't guarantee your safety during a severe weather incident.
  • We can't shelter travellers in the embassy or consulate. You must find an emergency shelter.
  • We can't give you legal or medical advice.
  • We can't make decisions for you, or make you leave a country.
  • We can't make your travel arrangements, or help you evacuate.

Severe weather reporting services worldwide

Stay informed about the severe weather event. Before, during and after. Closely monitor the local media.

The global authority on severe weather reporting is the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Many countries share services with others in the region.

Cyclone reporting services

Northern Pacific Ocean

Caribbean Sea

Indian Ocean

South and south-west Pacific Ocean

Tornado reporting services

Severe winter weather reporting services

Read more

See also

 

Related content

A volcano has erupted

Find out what to do if you're travelling overseas and a volcano has erupted in or near your location. Learn how and where to get help.

View details
Severe weather

Tropical storms and tornadoes are serious risks in some destinations. In others, it's severe winter or summer weather you need to prepare for.

View details
While you’re away

Most Australians have a great time overseas, however, sometimes things don't go as planned. See our page for general advice when things go wrong overseas.

View details