What To Know Before You Travel During Hurricane Season

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

10 Aug 2007 10:02 AM

The travel bargains during hurricane season are hard to beat, but before you shell out the money for a trip to the Caribbean, Mexico, or Florida there are a few points you should consider.

First, the deep discounts offered during hurricane season come as a result of the risk you take. (It's called hurricane season for a reason.) If you plan to head south during the heart of hurricane season you risk having your vacation drowned out. That's what happened to more than 30,000 vacationers who were spending a fall trip in the Cancun area in October 2005. Their resorts got slammed by Hurricane Wilma and they were stranded when the Cancun International Airport was shut down for nine days.

According to the Weather Channel, hurricane season runs from July through October, with August and September being the peak months. The most vulnerable spots are the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico and Florida. Weather experts say 2007 is shaping up to be an especially active year, with seven to 10 storms expected.

The news may sound bleak, but experts say there's no reason you should skip a trip to a hurricane-prone area. Just keep these tips in mind:

Stay Aware. Keep abreast of weather forecasts so that you have time to prepare should you be in the path of a major storm.

Choose a destination with limited mountains or hilly areas. These are places where rain can cause landslides and flood valley floors. For example, the Dominican Republic has four mountain ranges, which means the island locale is particularly vulnerable to major flooding and mudslides. In 2004, Hurricane Jeanne caused severe flooding in the region.

If you are truly terrified of hurricanes, consider steering clear of the 700 islands that make up the Bahamas. The islands are located in the heart of the hurricane belt and usually experiences at least one hurricane a year. Hurricane Frances hit in early September 2004 and shut down several major resorts there.

Smaller is better. According to weather experts, the smaller the region you visit, the less likely it will be hit by a hurricane. For example, the island of Bermuda is just 33 square miles, so the chances of a storm ruining your vacation is smaller than in larger areas like Florida.

Related Articles:

Weather and Your Family 's Vacation

Hurricane Season Travel Deals

End Of The Summer Travel Deals

Last Minute Summer Travel Deals---They Do Exist

Total Vacation Packages---Are They Worth The Money?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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