Guest Author - Marilyn Crain

Spending time in coastal areas during hurricane season can make even the most intrepid travelers a little uneasy. A few precautions can give you peace of mind, if you’re traveling along the coasts of Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, from June through November,

If you’re flying, be sure to check out your options for trip insurance. This can get complicated, so do your research, talk to your travel agent, tour company and airline. Don’t wait until the last minute, there are deadlines and cut-offs regarding booking and departure on the first leg of your trip. Remember this insurance is based on unforeseen events, so if a storm is already headed toward your destination you won’t be able to purchase insurance coverage.

Also, before you leave home, be sure you set up a communication plan. Nothing worries family and friends more than not knowing if you’re safe in case of an emergency. So, designate one person who will be your primary contact and stay in touch on a reasonable schedule. They, in turn, should make inquiries if you are out of touch for a period of time. Leave your itinerary and telephone numbers with your contact. Don’t make this communication plan too restrictive. Just be smart. This tip is a good idea to implement for any trip you take, just in case something unexpected happens.

Take along your own little emergency kit. Include a flashlight and batteries, a few first aid supplies and most importantly, pack your battery powered or hand-crank weather radio. It won’t take up much space and if you need it, you’ll be so glad you made room. Always have bottled water and snacks on hand. This is one more tip for any vacation. It’s just a wise thing to do.

Once you arrive at your destination, check with your hotel about what on-site precautions are in place. Find out where to go inside the hotel, should you need to leave your room for a safe place. Again, this tip would apply to any hotel stay. In case of an emergency, not just in hurricane season, you need to have this information.

Then, take a few minutes and make an evacuation plan. Know what you need to do if you must leave the area. If you are not driving, ask what evacuation arrangements are in place for guests of your hotel. If you are driving, make note of the evacuation routes as you arrive in the area and keep your gas tank full. Most cities, in hurricane-prone regions, have their evacuation routes well marked. For instance, the evacuation routes in South Texas are designated with large roadside and overhead signs. If an evacuation order is issued, follow instructions and evacuate. These routes, and orders to use them, protect residents and visitors alike by providing for a safe, orderly escape from harm’s way.

Be aware of what’s happening. It’s so easy, and a very good idea, to just enjoy the beach and the water and let the world go by. You don’t want to spoil your trip by thinking about the weather all the time or obsessing about what could happen. But storms can develop quickly, so now and then, take a minute or two to check in on the news.

You can’t possibly plan for every emergency or every weather event that Mother Nature may throw at you, but you can give yourself a little edge if you plan carefully and take a few precautions. Then, you can relax and enjoy that much-deserved vacation, knowing you’ve done all you could to be prepared.