Natural disaster or emergency
For travellers caught in an earthquake, storm, flood, unrest or another large emergency abroad. It covers staying safe, following local authorities, keeping in touch, and getting help from your own government.
Follow local authorities' instructions
Do what local authorities and emergency services tell you, because they have the most current advice. Watch for official alerts, local news and official apps, and check rumours against official channels before acting on them or sharing them.
Leave when you are told
If local authorities order an evacuation, leave. Staying can put your life at risk, may be against the law and may affect your travel insurance.
Protect yourself from the hazard
In an earthquake, drop to the ground, cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops; if indoors, stay inside. Near a coast, after a strong or long earthquake or a sudden rise or fall in the sea, move to high ground at once without waiting for sirens. In a cyclone, stay indoors, away from the sea and rivers.
Avoid crowds during unrest
During unrest or conflict, keep a low profile and stay away from demonstrations, crowds and security or military sites. If you have to shelter where you are, move to an inner room away from windows.
Prepare to shelter or leave
Keep a grab bag ready with travel documents, medicines, water, long-life food, a first aid kit, a torch and batteries. Keep your phone and a power bank charged, and wear sturdy shoes if there may be debris on the ground.
Tell family you are safe
Contact family and friends as soon as you can, even if you are not affected, and keep them updated until you leave the area. Text or social media messages often get through when networks are overloaded.
Register with your government
Register your trip and contact details with your own government's travel registration service or embassy if it has one, and contact it if you need help. Governments use these details to reach and check on their citizens in a crisis.
Leave early by normal transport
If you decide to leave and it is safe, go early by commercial transport while it still runs, and check options with your airline, tour operator and insurer. Do not count on your government to evacuate you: assisted departures are rare, limited and may have to be paid for.
Sources
- New Zealand SafeTravel: There's been a natural disaster or severe weather (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- GOV.UK: Prepare for and deal with crises abroad (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Government of Canada: Large-scale emergencies outside Canada (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Government of Canada: Canadian Consular Services Charter (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Ready.gov (US Department of Homeland Security): Earthquakes (checked 4 Nov 2026)