Travel Tip 12
How to prepare for disasters during travel.
The Incan Temple of the Sun in Ollantaytambo was constructed with small rocks between the large ones. They’re designed to break during a strong earthquake, protecting the larger stones from damage.
The news is full of the earthquake in Morocco, floods in Libya, and wildfire in Hawai’i.
After the 2004 tsunami in Thailand, travelers have been painfully aware that tourist destinations aren’t immune from natural disasters. The questions is: how to prepare for them?
First, you need some background on your destination. If you’re going to the Caribbean between June and November, you should know that it’s hurricane season. If you’re going to Istanbul, you should know that the city is prone to earthquakes.
Once you’ve researched the biggest disaster risks in your destination, take a little time to learn what best practices would be. Make sure you know what to ask for when you get to your destination. In Nepal, ask where to go in case of earthquake. In Chile, ask where the nearest tsunami escape route is. In Iceland, ask what to do in case of a volcanic eruption.
Millions of people live in and visit disaster prone regions around the world. Just think about the 1.5 million people who go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans every year.
Earthquake safe zone signs
Wherever you go, look for signs that will lead you to a safe zone in case of earthquake, tsunami or other natural disaster. This sign at the Pisac Inca ruins shows that zones with red flags are dangerous and that in case of earthquake you should go to a zone with a green flag.
Register your trip with your embassy.
For US citizens, register with the STEP program. For other nationalities, check with the embassy in the country you’re going to. They may have a way to register your phone number with them so that you’ll receive automatic warnings on your phone in case of a disaster.
Wherever you decide to go, don’t let potential disasters derail your fun. No matter how much it’s in the news, the chances that you’ll experience a natural disaster are slim. Like you would at home, be aware of the most common risks but don’t let it ruin your trip.
Recent blog
I spent last weekend in Lima and loved the Larco Museum. The gardens are lovely, the vast collection of Moche ceramics is impressive, and the erotic gallery is astonishing. Scroll through the photos above at your own risk.
Lima frequently experiences small earthquakes and people there say they’re overdue for a big one. The last major earthquake in Lima was a 8.0 on the Richter scale in 1974, which caused massive damage to historical buildings, killed 252 people and injured about 3,600. When you’re in Lima, look for signs with the green S that say “zona segura en caso de sismos.”
Recent article
Ethical Travel on Lake Titicaca
The Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca (shared with Bolivia) has experienced more than its share of natural disasters, including an ongoing drought. The Peruvian who live on or near the lake may be Peru’s first climate refugees, but that shouldn’t stop tourists from visiting the lake.
