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Coastal holiday town after a storm, travellers walking calmly to a hotel

A disaster has hit the place I am travelling in

On holiday or a business trip an earthquake, storm, flood or wildfire hits where you are staying – far from home and in a foreign language.

First

  1. Follow the instructions of local authorities, your hotel or tour operator – warnings, evacuations, shelters.
  2. If people are injured or in immediate danger, call the local emergency number (112 in the EU).
  3. Send a short sign of life to relatives, preferably by message rather than a call.
  4. If you need help: contact your own country's embassy or consulate; inform your insurer.

Call emergency services if

  • Injured or trapped people
  • Immediate danger from water, fire or collapse
  • Someone from your travel group is missing

Emergency numbers for Austria · Change region

What is happening

A disaster abroad often catches you unprepared: you do not know the local warning signals, only partly understand announcements and do not know where the nearest high ground or shelter is. At the same time power, mobile networks or card payments fail, and airports close.

The first minutes to hours are shaped by the event itself: in an earthquake it is about protection from falling objects, on the coast possibly a tsunami, in storms and floods about safe buildings and avoiding water, in a wildfire about leaving early. Then come days in which supplies, accommodation, communication and the journey home take centre stage.

Typical misjudgements: waiting for an official warning even though natural warning signs are clear; taking photos instead of getting to safety; relying on your own embassy as a “rescue service”. Embassies and consulates can advise, inform and help in emergencies, but they do not replace local civil protection and usually do not cover costs.

What matters: follow the instructions of the local authorities, your hotel or tour operator; call the local emergency number for injuries; send a short sign of life home; secure documents, money, medication and battery; and only then organise the journey home and help from your own embassy or consulate.

Step by step

  1. Phase 1

    Immediately

    • Get yourself to safety – depending on the event: in an earthquake “Drop, Cover, Hold on”, in a flood go to higher ground, in a fire move away from smoke and flames.
    • On the coast after a strong or long earthquake, if the sea suddenly recedes or you hear a loud roar, go to higher ground at once – do not wait for an official warning.
    • If people are injured or in immediate danger, call the local emergency number (112 in the EU).
    • Follow the instructions of the authorities, hotel staff or tour guides.

  2. Phase 2

    In the first hours

    • Keep your travel group together and count heads; set a meeting point.
    • Send a short sign of life by message to one contact at home; they inform the others.
    • Keep passport, money, cards, medication, charger and water ready in one bag.
    • Follow official information: local authorities, hotel, tour operator and your foreign ministry's travel and safety advice.
    • Save phone battery; networks are often overloaded, and messages get through more easily than calls.

  3. Phase 3

    In the following days

    • Contact your embassy or consulate if you need help – e.g. with lost documents or no place to stay.
    • Inform your tour operator, airline and insurer and collect receipts.
    • Use drinking water only as officially advised; if in doubt, bottled or boiled water.
    • After an earthquake expect aftershocks and do not enter damaged buildings.
    • Do not travel into closed or disaster areas to look around.

  4. Phase 4

    After returning home

    • Settle costs and refunds with your insurer and tour operator.
    • Have injuries, fever or diarrhoea after the trip checked by a doctor and mention where you travelled.
    • Distressing memories are normal; if sleep problems or anxiety persist, seek support.

What to watch out for

  • Natural tsunami warning signs

    A strong or long earthquake on the coast, a sudden retreat of the sea or a loud roar from the ocean are warning signs. Go higher or inland at once; one wave can be followed by others.

  • Unfamiliar warning systems

    Siren signals, text alerts and apps differ from country to country and often arrive in the local language. Ask at your hotel how warnings are given, and translate messages if in doubt.

  • Flood water

    Do not walk or drive through flood water: currents, hidden holes, debris and electricity can kill. Stay in the building until the authorities give the all-clear.

  • Rumours and scams

    After disasters false reports and dubious offers of transport or accommodation circulate. Rely on official sources and your foreign ministry's travel information.

  • What embassies can do

    Missions abroad help with information, replacement documents and contacts. Governments only organise evacuations in exceptional situations; usually departure is via regular transport.

  • Carbon monoxide after a power cut

    After disasters, generators or grills are often run indoors. Stay away from such devices in enclosed spaces and point it out to staff.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting for an official tsunami warning although the ground shook strongly and for a long time.
  • Taking photos or videos instead of getting to safety.
  • Making constant calls and so straining the network and the battery.
  • Leaving passport and medication in the hotel room when you have to leave it.
  • Thinking the embassy is responsible for everything and not informing the tour operator or insurer.
  • Going back into damaged buildings to fetch luggage.

Prepare in advance

  • Before the trip read your foreign ministry's travel and safety advice and know the typical natural hazards of the destination.
  • If your country offers it: register with its crisis or traveller registration list.
  • Check that your travel insurance covers repatriation and save the emergency numbers.
  • Keep copies of your passport and important documents separately and back them up digitally.
  • On arrival ask how warnings are given and where escape routes or high ground are.
  • Bring enough medication, a power bank and some cash in local currency.

Special consideration

Children
Children should carry their name, hotel and a phone number. Keep them close and explain in simple words what is happening.
People with chronic illnesses
Anyone who depends on medication or medical aids should bring more than needed, split it between several bags and carry a short description in English or the local language.

Sources

  • Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) · U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs
  • Krisenvorsorgeliste ELEFAND (Elektronische Erfassung von Deutschen im Ausland) · Auswärtiges Amt, Deutschland
  • Tsunami Safety · U.S. National Weather Service (NOAA)
  • Evacuation · Ready.gov – U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Your situation

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Basics for this situation

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All rules of this situation (7)

  1. [not active] If Event = Earthquake / tsunami risk

    On the coast, after a strong or long earthquake, go to higher ground at once – do not wait for an official warning.

  2. [not active] If Event = Storm or flood

    Do not walk or drive through flood water. Stay in the building until the authorities give the all-clear.

  3. [not active] If Event = Wildfire

    Leave early when the authorities advise it; avoid smoke and do not travel towards fire areas.

  4. [not active] If Additional problems = Lost passport or money

    Your embassy or consulate can help with replacement documents; digital copies speed this up.

  5. [not active] If Additional problems = Networks overloaded

    Short text messages instead of calls; name one contact as the family's central point of contact.

  6. [not active] If Additional problems = Cannot travel home

    Check options with your tour operator, airline and insurer; keep receipts.

  7. [not active] If With you = Children

    Keep children close and agree a meeting point in case you are separated.