There's been a natural disaster or severe weather

This is our general advice for what to do if you’re travelling overseas and there is a:

• Earthquake
• Cyclone (also known as a typhoon, or hurricane)
• Flood
• Volcanic eruption
• Wildfire
• Other natural disaster or severe weather.

After a disaster

Get to safety

After a natural disaster, you may decide to leave the area or country. If local authorities have issued an official evacuation order, you should leave. If you stay in a place that has evacuated by official order, your travel insurance might not be valid.

If you decide to leave, act quickly. Demand for flights, trains, or buses out of the area will surge quickly, and it may be weeks or months before you are able to leave if you don’t act early to secure your departure option. Journeys may be cancelled if severe weather continues.  

If there has been an earthquake, there may be a tsunami coming. If you are near the coast or in a tsunami-prone area, move to high ground. Don’t wait for an official warning.

Don’t go outdoors during a cyclone, typhoon or hurricane and remain well away from the sea and rivers.  

Get ready to shelter in place

If you decide to stay, or you’re not able to leave, you should get ready to shelter in place until it is safe to leave. Hotels and resorts should have plans and supplies for tourists to shelter in place in a crisis. 

If you need to shelter in place, here are some things to prepare: 

• Water and food – get enough bottled water for all the people in your group, in case the water is shut off or unsafe to drink. Make sure you have a supply of long-life food.
• Supplies – get things like torches, batteries, and radios, in case you can’t go outside and the power is out.
• First aid - get a first aid kit, and make sure you have a supply of any daily medications you may need.
• Devices – charge your devices and power banks when you have the opportunity, in case the power goes out.
• Sturdy shoes and clothing – if you need to go outside, there may be debris and sharp objects on the ground.

Stay in touch

If the natural disaster or weather event makes the international news, your friends and whānau in New Zealand will be concerned for your safety. Get in touch with them when you can to let them know you’re safe and what your plans are. 

You should also register your contact details with us if you haven’t already. We don’t know you’re in a location that has been impacted by a natural disaster if you are not in touch with us. The primary way we communicate with New Zealanders offshore, including sharing information about the local situation and how to stay safe, is sending messages and updates to New Zealanders who have registered with us on SafeTravel.

Register your details                                                                                                                                                             

Information and advice

In an emergency, local authorities are the best source of current and correct information and advice. Follow the advice from local governments, police, and emergency responders. 

Some governments will have emergency mobile alerts or emergency alert apps that they use to communicate advice and information in a crisis. Ask hotel staff or a local authority how to access official information.  

You can also follow local and international media sources (including social media) for updates.

The New Zealand Get Ready website has information on what to do in an emergency and how to be prepared. 

Find out more on the Get Ready website

We also update our travel advice or send information directly to those registered on SafeTravel.

Check our travel advice