All travel-related activities depend on the weather. Without good weather, one cannot do things like hiking, flying, swimming, mountaineering, and many more. During the preparation process, it is always important to study the weather of a place before visiting to avoid being stuck in dangerous weather conditions. But even with adequate preparation, some things are just out of hand. A thunderstorm could start while hikers are still on mountaintops, and one can also be stuck in a village with an erupting volcano nearby. Such frightening situations can ruin the entire vacation and even result in an emergency or death, but with these tips, one can escape the fury of nature and stay safe until everything returns to normal.
8 Thunderstorm And Lightning
Besides causing up to 33 yearly deaths in the United States, Thunderstorms and Lightning can be the scariest thing one experiences. Those loud claps and continuous flashes can become a nightmare and even a huge threat to the lives of those exposed to it. The first thing to do when caught up in a lightning storm is to go to a safe place. Get out of any boat and stay away completely from the water. Also, avoid staying on mountaintops, beside tall objects, under isolated trees, or in an open area. Go indoors as soon as possible or enter a car. Avoid making calls, taking a shower, or touching metal during thunderstorms, as lightning can travel through different things. All electrical appliances should be avoided as well. If possible, disconnect the appliances to keep them safe from damage.
7 Extreme Heat
Heat waves are common nowadays, and summers are getting hotter every year. When in a destination that experiences extreme heat, one must be prepared to avoid harm. When caught in extremely hot weather, the first thing to do is reduce the time one stays outdoors or avoid going outdoors completely. There are many things to do away from the summer sun, but if one must go outdoors to do some important things, then it’s advised to be outdoors before sunrise or after sunset. The hours between 11 AM and 3 PM are the hottest part of the day and are best avoided. With the heat drying up every bit of water, one should ensure to always drink water. Wearing loose clothing and hats and constantly taking showers or going to cool places is also helpful.
6 Flood
Flooding can cause a lot of damage to infrastructure while also posing dangers to those on the road. In some severe cases, even cars and other movable objects are not safe from the flow of a flood. To avoid being carried away by the rushing water, the first thing to do is move to higher ground, as the flood usually does not exceed certain elevations. As much as possible, one should avoid staying in the way of the flowing water or walking in it as there are so many harmful things that flow with the water. In the situation where the flood has already taken the lower part of the hotel one is lodged in, one should move to a higher floor and stay there until help comes. With a lot of things losing balance, it is also important to watch out for unstable power lines and electrical wires as well as unstable buildings, moving vehicles, and other heavy or hazardous things on the way.
5 Hurricane
A Hurricane is one devastating weather condition no one wants to ever get caught up in, especially travelers. Checking the local weather forecast before visiting is a way to avoid this, but for those who are already caught up in the strong winds, stay indoors at all times and shut windows and doors. Closely follow the disaster on radio or TV to know if leaving the area should be the next move or to remain indoors. When it is safe to come out, one should avoid fallen electric poles and other dangerous objects that may have been destroyed by the hurricane.
4 Tornado
Tornadoes are some of the world’s most vicious natural disasters that occasionally claim hundreds of lives and cause damage to properties. During a tornado, it's not enough to just run into any building as the massive winds have been known to destroy mobile homes and other fragile structures. Go to sturdy buildings instead and hide in the basement until the tornado subsides. Never remain outdoors during a tornado, as the wind can pick up heavy objects and hurl them recklessly.
3 Volcanic Eruption
Volcanic eruptions are so fierce that they are better avoided rather than survived. This violent disaster has been known to level entire cities and bury its citizens in debris and ash. For this reason, the best thing to do to stay safe from a volcanic eruption is to avoid the area when the threat arises or when warnings are announced by local authorities. If one must visit, then it is best to avoid certain times of the year when the eruptions take place. Some eruptions, however, are unpredictable and in such cases, when one is stuck in the area in the middle of the eruption, the best thing to do is stay indoors. When indoors, shut all windows and turn off the air conditioning and fans to avoid inhaling the poisonous volcanic gases.
2 Winter Storm
Winter storms have been known to disrupt daily life in many parts of the world, and like any other temperature-related extreme weather condition, it is paramount to avoid staying outdoors for too long in winter storms to avoid the chilly weather. Such storms are usually announced on the news to allow people to prepare before it occurs. While staying indoors, certain things such as reliable electricity, fire, blankets, and warm winter coats should be put in place to keep the cold out of the house. When going outdoors, watch out for frostbite, reduce laughing and talking, and watch the floor carefully to avoid slipping or getting involved in an accident on a slippery road.
1 Tsunami
Tsunamis are only common in certain areas around the world and for those traveling to those places, observe the radio or local TV of the area to see if there are any warnings before visiting. Tsunamis are mysterious and can come in full force in a second, swallowing entire buildings and flooding the road with water. In Tsunamis hotspots, one should always have their equipment close by in case they need to quickly flee from the water before it swallows them whole. The safest action to take during a tsunami is to move to higher ground and stay there, as tsunamis can come with a series of waves that can rise as high as 30 meters (100 feet).