Gay Nagle Myers
With Hurricane Matthew a grim reminder of the forces of nature, what words of advice can agents pass on to clients regarding their safety if they choose to travel during the Atlantic hurricane season, which does not officially end until Nov. 30?
Beyond the obvious advice that agents regularly give clients, including the purchase of travel insurance, packing needed medications, leaving an itinerary with family or friends and carrying a copy of the passport name page separate from the passport, other suggestions came from Rob Walker, head of travel security intelligence, international SOS and control risks for International SOS, a London-based travel and medical-security company whose clients include multinational corporations, governments and NGOs.
"Understand how to track and follow the storm system on a weather app," Walker said. "Assess the potential risks, and if you have not yet left home, defer travel until the danger passes if you have an itinerary that is likely to be affected by a natural disaster."
If disaster hits during travels, Walker cautioned that systems such as water, power, telecommunications and roads could be affected.
"Have a degree of self-sufficiency, manage your exposure to the elements and be prepared with bottled water and a flashlight," he said. "Adapt your level of preparedness to the situation."
Walker pointed out that the worst part of a storm happens once the eye of the storm passes over and the winds then blow from the opposite direction.
"Trees, shrubs and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds," he said.