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  3. Tropical storms

Tropical storms

Last updated
Tuesday, 22/08/2023

 

Severe tropical storms are currently impacting regions throughout the northern hemisphere. The Atlantic tropical cyclone season runs from June to November every year.

Cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons are serious risks in some destinations.

They can change direction and strength with little warning. They can lead to landslides, mudslides and flash flooding, damaging infrastructure and cutting off communications and transportation. They can also affect access to emergency assistance, medical care, and food and water.

If you're travelling somewhere that experiences severe weather, be prepared and informed.

How to prepare

Understanding local safety procedures is vital to ensure you stay safe in an area that could be affected by severe weather. Our advice if you're overseas during the cyclone season:

  • Follow media and local sources for weather forecasts.
  • Read the travel advice for your destination.
  • Subscribe to travel advice and bulletins.
  • Share your accommodation and contact details with loved ones.
  • Check your travel insurance and make sure it covers claims caused by a cyclone.

You can also bookmark these websites to stay up to date with cyclone forecasts and advice:

Northern hemisphere

  • National Hurricane Center (US Government)
  • Japan Meteorological Agency (Japanese Government)
  • Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (Intergovernmental)
  • India Meteorological Department (Indian Government)
  • Joint Typhoon Warning Center (US Government)
  • Meteo-France (French Government)

Southern hemisphere

  • Australian Bureau of Meteorology (Australian Government)
  • The Fiji Meteorological Service (Fiji Government)
  • Meteorological Service of New Zealand (MetService)
  • Papua New Guinea National Weather Service (PNG Government)
  • Meteo-France in French Polynesia (French Government)

What to do if you're caught in a cyclone while overseas

If you find yourself caught up in a cyclone:

  • Track the local news for weather updates.
  • Follow the advice and instructions of local authorities at all times.
  • Identify your local shelter.
  • If you're on an island, heed all advice to return to the mainland before the boats stop running.
  • Carry bottled water, non-perishable food, a basic first aid kit, a battery-operated radio and a torch.
  • Get cash from an ATM.
  • Carry your travel documents (passport, photo IDs) at all times or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. If you carry them with you, make sure they're in a waterproof bag or case.
  • Contact friends and family with regular updates about your situation.

Read our full advice about what to do if you're caught in a cyclone.

Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Contact your airline for the latest flight information. The cyclone may also affect access to seaports in the region.

In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe cyclone may not be available to all who choose to stay.

Where to get help

During catastrophic storms, the ability of consular officials to help you may be limited. Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Depending on what you need, your best option may be to contact your family, friends, travel agent, travel insurance provider, employer or airline. Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Australian Government

Contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. If you're unable to contact one in a consular emergency, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

  • +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
  • 1300 555 135 within Australia.

How to stay up to date

Subscribe to get an email when we update the travel advice for your destination. Follow @smartraveller on social media.

Read more:

  • Read about what to do during a severe weather incident
  • Visit the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

To report a vulnerability you’ve identified on this website or to find out more about the department’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy visit the DFAT website

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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  • Home
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Destinations
      • Europe and the Schengen Area
      • Getting a foreign visa
      • Travel insurance
      • CHOICE travel insurance buying guide
    • Who you are
      • Academics
      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
      • Journalists
      • LGBTQIA+
      • Mature and older travellers
      • School leavers
      • Travelling with children
      • Travelling with a disability
      • Travelling with pets
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Antarctica and the Arctic
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Retiring overseas
      • Sports and adventure
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
        • Travel overseas for Anzac Day
      • Religious events
        • Travel overseas for Ramadan
        • Travel overseas for Hajj
      • Sporting events
        • Rugby League Las Vegas 2025
    • Health
      • Infectious diseases
      • Going overseas for a medical procedure
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medication and medical equipment
      • Mental health
      • Organ transplant tourism
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health care agreements
      • What happens if you die overseas
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Protests and civil unrest
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • Pacific
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent help
  • Our services
    • Consular State of Play
      • Data
      • Case studies
      • Images
      • Videos
      • Audio
      • Historical data
    • Consular Services Charter
      • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
      • 领事服务章程 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
      • Panduan Layanan Konsuler (Indonesian)
      • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
      • 영사 서비스 헌장 (Korean)
      • กฎบัตรว่าด้วยบริการต่าง ๆ ของกงสุล (Thai)
      • Quy định về Dịch Vụ Lãnh Sự (Vietnamese)
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • 한국어 (Korean)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Crises
    • News and updates
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      • Documents we can legalise
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Passport services
    • Resources
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement
    • Subscription
    • Travel advice explained
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