World news story

Atlantic hurricane season: Are you prepared?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, and can affect the southern and eastern USA, the Caribbean, and Atlantic Canada.

• From: British Embassy Washington, British Consulate General Atlanta, British Consulate General Boston, British Consulate General Houston, British Consulate General Miami, British Consulate General New York and British High Commission Ottawa
• Published: 31 May 2013
• Last updated: 3 June 2013 — See all updates

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Atlantic hurricane season

There are a number of things you can do to prepare yourself if you live in, or are planning to travel to, this region including:

• giving family or friends the address and telephone number of where you are staying, and calling them to let them know your plans if a hurricane is forecast to affect the area you are in
• paying close attention to weather reports on local TV and radio stations
• keeping important numbers handy such as family, and friends, airlines, tour operators, travel insurance providers and that of the British embassy and consulates general in the US or the British high commission and consulates general in Canada.
• ensuring that you have access to supplies of food, water, radios, torches, first aid kit, etc.
• follow the Foreign Office, British Embassy Washington, and consulates general in the US on social media for the latest updates to Foreign & Commonwealth Office Travel Advice; in Canada follow the British High Commission on Twitter or Facebook

You can also monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation, the US National Hurricane Center, and the Canadian Hurricane Centre.

The GOV.UK website has detailed information about what you should know about travelling to an area that can be affected by hurricanes.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website and the Canadian government’s Get Prepared website contain information about how to prepare for extreme weather conditions and what to do if you are told to evacuate. It also provides a useful list of disaster supplies that will help if you live in an area affected by storms and hurricanes.

The Great Hurricane Blowout website gives practical advice on preparing for hurricane season. Additionally, state emergency management websites in Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, provide information on how to prepare for a storm. In Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, local authorities will provide information about weather conditions and shelter locations through local television and radio stations.

Published 31 May 2013
Last updated 3 June 2013 + show all updates

1. 3 June 2013

   Added information and links relating to Canada

2. 31 May 2013

   First published.