What should I do if I'm separated from my travel group during a disaster?

Get to a safe location first, then contact the designated meeting point or shelter your group identified. Call, text, or message your group's main contact. If you can't reach them, go to a police station, hospital, or official shelter—these are where separated people typically reunite. Give authorities your name and group information. Don't wander the disaster zone looking for people; stay in one safe location where you can be found.

Will travel insurance cover me if a natural disaster happens?

Standard travel insurance does not cover losses from natural disasters that existed before you purchased the policy. However, evacuation and emergency assistance coverage will pay for emergency flights, accommodation, and medical care related to the disaster. Trip cancellation insurance only works if you cancel before travel due to a declared disaster threat. Always read your policy details. If a disaster happens, contact your insurance provider immediately—don't wait until you're home.

What if I can't reach my embassy during a disaster?

Embassies are often overwhelmed during major disasters. Try alternative contact methods: email, social media, WhatsApp, or calling back repeatedly. Contact a neighboring country's embassy if yours isn't responding—they can relay messages. Call your country's foreign ministry from home if you have someone who can do this. Register with online services like Smart Traveler (US), STEP (Canada), or equivalent services for your country—authorities use these to locate nationals. Be persistent but patient; it may take hours or days for someone to respond.

Is it safe to stay in my hotel after an earthquake or to evacuate?

If your hotel is still structurally sound and not damaged, staying there may be safer than being in the street, especially if aftershocks are expected. Move to a central interior room away from windows. However, if your building shows cracks, water damage, gas leaks, or authorities order evacuation, leave immediately. Don't assume one earthquake means no aftershocks—they're common and can be as strong as the original quake. Let hotel staff guide you to designated shelter areas; they know which parts of the building are safest.

Should I try to leave the country immediately after a disaster?

No, not unless authorities or your embassy tell you to. Trying to evacuate without official coordination can create chaos at airports and borders, and you may be prevented from leaving anyway if the government needs to account for all residents. Wait for official guidance. Airports and borders often close or operate at severely reduced capacity after disasters. Your embassy will coordinate evacuation flights for nationals if needed. If you try to leave on your own, you may end up stranded elsewhere without support.

What if ATMs and banks aren't working and I need money?

This is why carrying emergency cash is critical. If you run out, contact your embassy—they can provide emergency loans or direct you to aid organizations. Some banks have emergency procedures for accessing funds during disasters; call your bank's international line if you can. Credit cards may work at some merchants even if ATMs don't. Large hotels and restaurants are more likely to have working card readers. The Red Cross/Red Crescent provides emergency cash assistance in some regions. Do not assume you'll be able to access your money for days after a major disaster.

What if I lose my passport in the disaster?

Go to your embassy as soon as it's safe and accessible. Bring any identification you have, including photos on your phone or physical copies you saved. Embassies can issue emergency travel documents or replacement passports on an expedited basis during disasters, sometimes in hours rather than weeks. Have your passport number memorized or written down separately if possible. Do not try to leave the country without travel documents—this creates legal problems. Your embassy can also help you arrange temporary travel documents if you need to leave urgently.

How to Handle a Natural Disaster While Traveling Abroad

Get to safety immediately by moving away from the disaster (inland for tsunamis, underground for earthquakes, away from windows for storms), contact your embassy, and follow local authority instructions. Stay calm, conserve phone battery, and don't assume the danger has passed—aftershocks and secondary hazards often follow.

Evacuate to safety based on disaster type. Earthquakes: Drop, cover, and hold under a sturdy table or against an interior wall away from windows. Stay there until shaking stops, then move to open ground away from buildings if you're outdoors. Tsunamis: Move inland and uphill immediately if you feel an earthquake near a coast or receive a warning—don't wait to see the wave. Hurricanes/typhoons: Get indoors, away from windows, into a basement or interior room on the lowest floor. Floods: Move to higher ground immediately and avoid walking or driving through flood water. Wildfires: Evacuate the area entirely if ordered; don't try to outrun fire.
Secure immediate shelter and assess injuries. Once safe, check yourself and nearby people for injuries. If you're in a hotel, move to a central interior room or designated shelter area. If outdoors, find a sturdy building or safe zone away from hazards. Do not re-enter damaged structures to retrieve belongings. If injuries are serious, flag down emergency responders or call emergency services (know the local emergency number for your country).
Contact your embassy or consulate. Find the emergency contact information for your country's embassy or consulate in the affected country. Call or message them to register your location and status. Many embassies have crisis hotlines specifically for this. If phone lines are jammed, try email or social media. Some countries offer emergency SMS services or apps—register before you travel. Your embassy can provide evacuation assistance, replacement documents, and emergency financial help.
Notify family and friends you're safe. Send a single message to a designated contact at home (not multiple people) saying you're safe and your location. Use text, email, or a messaging app rather than calling if possible—voice calls overload networks. If data is down, you can often send texts. Activate location sharing on your phone if you have it set up. Do not post specifics about disaster damage on social media, as this can spread misinformation and delay aid.
Follow local authority instructions. Listen to local radio, TV, or official emergency alerts for evacuation orders and shelter instructions. Do not ignore evacuation orders even if you feel safe—authorities have information you don't. If authorities direct you to a shelter, go there immediately. Follow quarantine or curfew rules. Do not attempt to leave the disaster area on your own unless explicitly told it's safe to do so.
Preserve documents and prepare for aftermath. Photograph your passport, visa, travel insurance documents, and credit cards with your phone if possible. Store photos in cloud backup. Keep your travel insurance policy number and emergency contact number written down physically, not just in your phone. Charge your phone whenever possible. Ration battery by turning off location services, dimming the screen, and closing unnecessary apps. Don't use your phone except for emergencies.
Access aid and plan next steps. Once the immediate danger passes, register with Red Cross/Red Crescent services if available. Visit your embassy for emergency assistance with travel, documents, or funds. Check your travel insurance coverage for evacuation, emergency accommodation, or replacement flights. Do not book your own evacuation flight until you've checked with your embassy—some countries arrange this centrally. Be prepared that flights, banks, and ATMs may not function for days.

What should I do if I'm separated from my travel group during a disaster?: Get to a safe location first, then contact the designated meeting point or shelter your group identified. Call, text, or message your group's main contact. If you can't reach them, go to a police station, hospital, or official shelter—these are where separated people typically reunite. Give authorities your name and group information. Don't wander the disaster zone looking for people; stay in one safe location where you can be found.
Will travel insurance cover me if a natural disaster happens?: Standard travel insurance does not cover losses from natural disasters that existed before you purchased the policy. However, evacuation and emergency assistance coverage will pay for emergency flights, accommodation, and medical care related to the disaster. Trip cancellation insurance only works if you cancel before travel due to a declared disaster threat. Always read your policy details. If a disaster happens, contact your insurance provider immediately—don't wait until you're home.
What if I can't reach my embassy during a disaster?: Embassies are often overwhelmed during major disasters. Try alternative contact methods: email, social media, WhatsApp, or calling back repeatedly. Contact a neighboring country's embassy if yours isn't responding—they can relay messages. Call your country's foreign ministry from home if you have someone who can do this. Register with online services like Smart Traveler (US), STEP (Canada), or equivalent services for your country—authorities use these to locate nationals. Be persistent but patient; it may take hours or days for someone to respond.
Is it safe to stay in my hotel after an earthquake or to evacuate?: If your hotel is still structurally sound and not damaged, staying there may be safer than being in the street, especially if aftershocks are expected. Move to a central interior room away from windows. However, if your building shows cracks, water damage, gas leaks, or authorities order evacuation, leave immediately. Don't assume one earthquake means no aftershocks—they're common and can be as strong as the original quake. Let hotel staff guide you to designated shelter areas; they know which parts of the building are safest.
Should I try to leave the country immediately after a disaster?: No, not unless authorities or your embassy tell you to. Trying to evacuate without official coordination can create chaos at airports and borders, and you may be prevented from leaving anyway if the government needs to account for all residents. Wait for official guidance. Airports and borders often close or operate at severely reduced capacity after disasters. Your embassy will coordinate evacuation flights for nationals if needed. If you try to leave on your own, you may end up stranded elsewhere without support.
What if ATMs and banks aren't working and I need money?: This is why carrying emergency cash is critical. If you run out, contact your embassy—they can provide emergency loans or direct you to aid organizations. Some banks have emergency procedures for accessing funds during disasters; call your bank's international line if you can. Credit cards may work at some merchants even if ATMs don't. Large hotels and restaurants are more likely to have working card readers. The Red Cross/Red Crescent provides emergency cash assistance in some regions. Do not assume you'll be able to access your money for days after a major disaster.
What if I lose my passport in the disaster?: Go to your embassy as soon as it's safe and accessible. Bring any identification you have, including photos on your phone or physical copies you saved. Embassies can issue emergency travel documents or replacement passports on an expedited basis during disasters, sometimes in hours rather than weeks. Have your passport number memorized or written down separately if possible. Do not try to leave the country without travel documents—this creates legal problems. Your embassy can also help you arrange temporary travel documents if you need to leave urgently.