Caribbean Hurricanes
Vacationers need to consider the effect of hurricanes on their travel plans, especially with the recent surge of hurricanes in the Caribbean. Here you'll find a comprehensive overview of hurricanes in the Caribbean area and what you can do to maximize your chances of having a great time while not worrying about the weather.
The official hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30. Every year an average of 10 tropical storms develop in the Atlantic Ocean during the hurricane season, and 6 of these typically turn into hurricanes.
The official hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30. Every year an average of 10 tropical storms develop in the Atlantic Ocean during the hurricane season, and 6 of these typically turn into hurricanes.
Definitions of Hurricane Classifications:
Best Bet for Avoiding Hurricanes: the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), Trinidad and Tobago, Margarita Island (off Venezuela), and Turks and Caicos. According to the NOAA, these areas have a two-percent chance of being struck by a hurricane during storm season. These islands lie south of the hurricane belt, where their proximity to the equator makes the weather conditions less-than-optimal for hurricane formation. The last hurricane to directly hit this area was in September 1877.
Biggest Risk during Hurricane Season: Grand Bahama Island during September has been ranked as one of the most likely targets for a hurricane, averaging one every 4 years. Other popular hurricane destinations are Bermuda and the Virgin Islands. It is important to note though that every island in the Caribbean is at risk, even the ones labeled "Best Bet."
Hurricanes on Cruises: Modern cruises are equipped to handle most hurricanes that come their way. Their sheer size will prevent any major rocking, state-of-the-art weather systems can detect hurricanes miles away, and cruise ships are fast enough to outrun any hurricane.
Resort Protection: Many of the larger resorts, such as Sandals, Breezes, Starfish, Club Med and Wyndham, provide its guests with hurricane protection.
Weather Insurance: Not all travel insurance policies cover hurricanes, but some do, and if you are traveling during hurricane season, you may want to research which insurance companies cover weather-related damages.
What to do after a hurricane strikes:
- Listen to radio and TV announcements
- Be aware of the road conditions
- DO NOT DRIVE on roads where 6 inches or more of water is present
- Do not play in flooded areas
- Call a professional if you need assistance or see someone who needs assistance
- Use a flashlight (not a candle)
- Do not use tap water unless told it is safe to do so
When a hurricane strikes, storm surge frequently occurs, where sea level can rise up to 17 feet higher than normal. It is important that if you are near the ocean to move further inland.
Overall, the odds are unlikely that a hurricane will strike, no matter where or when you travel. However, you should always follow the weather before you leave on your exotic Caribbean vacation to make sure that no tropical storms are developing in the area. If you are in a dangerous area, make sure to follow instructions provided to you by your hotel or resort and by local authorities.
Tropical Storm Watch
Tropical Storm conditions are possible in the specified area of the Watch, usually within 36 hours.
Tropical Storm Warning
Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 24 hours.
Hurricane Watch
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions may threaten an area within 24-36 hours. When a hurricane watch is issued, everyone in that area should listen for further advisories and be prepared to act promptly. During a hurricane watch, prepare to take immediate action to protect your family and property in case a hurricane warning is issued.
Hurricane Warning
A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. Hurricane conditions include winds of 74 miles an hour and dangerously high tides and waves. Complete all storm preparations and evacuate if directed by local officials.
Tropical Storm conditions are possible in the specified area of the Watch, usually within 36 hours.
Tropical Storm Warning
Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 24 hours.
Hurricane Watch
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions may threaten an area within 24-36 hours. When a hurricane watch is issued, everyone in that area should listen for further advisories and be prepared to act promptly. During a hurricane watch, prepare to take immediate action to protect your family and property in case a hurricane warning is issued.
Hurricane Warning
A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. Hurricane conditions include winds of 74 miles an hour and dangerously high tides and waves. Complete all storm preparations and evacuate if directed by local officials.
Best Bet for Avoiding Hurricanes: the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), Trinidad and Tobago, Margarita Island (off Venezuela), and Turks and Caicos. According to the NOAA, these areas have a two-percent chance of being struck by a hurricane during storm season. These islands lie south of the hurricane belt, where their proximity to the equator makes the weather conditions less-than-optimal for hurricane formation. The last hurricane to directly hit this area was in September 1877.
Biggest Risk during Hurricane Season: Grand Bahama Island during September has been ranked as one of the most likely targets for a hurricane, averaging one every 4 years. Other popular hurricane destinations are Bermuda and the Virgin Islands. It is important to note though that every island in the Caribbean is at risk, even the ones labeled "Best Bet."
Hurricanes on Cruises: Modern cruises are equipped to handle most hurricanes that come their way. Their sheer size will prevent any major rocking, state-of-the-art weather systems can detect hurricanes miles away, and cruise ships are fast enough to outrun any hurricane.
Resort Protection: Many of the larger resorts, such as Sandals, Breezes, Starfish, Club Med and Wyndham, provide its guests with hurricane protection.
Weather Insurance: Not all travel insurance policies cover hurricanes, but some do, and if you are traveling during hurricane season, you may want to research which insurance companies cover weather-related damages.
What to do after a hurricane strikes:
- Listen to radio and TV announcements
- Be aware of the road conditions
- DO NOT DRIVE on roads where 6 inches or more of water is present
- Do not play in flooded areas
- Call a professional if you need assistance or see someone who needs assistance
- Use a flashlight (not a candle)
- Do not use tap water unless told it is safe to do so
When a hurricane strikes, storm surge frequently occurs, where sea level can rise up to 17 feet higher than normal. It is important that if you are near the ocean to move further inland.
Overall, the odds are unlikely that a hurricane will strike, no matter where or when you travel. However, you should always follow the weather before you leave on your exotic Caribbean vacation to make sure that no tropical storms are developing in the area. If you are in a dangerous area, make sure to follow instructions provided to you by your hotel or resort and by local authorities.
Caribbean Hurricane History and Trends
See where the last few years' worth tropical storms to hit the Caribbean have struck and how much damage they caused.
2005 Caribbean Hurricanes:
- Tropical Storm Bret: landed in Tuxpan, Mexico, caused floods and led to one death.
- Hurricane Dennis: struck Punta del Ingles in southeastern Cuba as a category 4 hurricane. It later went out to sea, re-intensified to a category 4, then struck Punta Mangles Altos, Cuba.
- Hurricane Emily: as a category 4 it struck Grenada, Cozumel, the Yucatan peninsula, and northeastern Mexico.
- Tropical Storm Gert: brought heavy rains to eastern Mexico.
- Tropical Storm Harvey: didn't have a large impact, but brought severe conditions to Bermuda.
- Tropical Storm José: struck eastern Mexico, causing floods and six deaths.
- Hurricane Stan: struck the Yucatan Peninsula as a tropical storm and damaged eastern Mexico and Central America, went to sea, strengthened, and landed again in Veracruz as a category 1 hurricane.
- Hurricane Wilma: as a category 4 hurricane, Wilma devastated Cozumel and the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula.
- Tropical Storm Alpha: flooded Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
- Hurricane Beta: as a category 2 hurricane, Beta struck Nicaragua and destroyed parts of the island of Provencia.
- Tropical Storm Gamma: flooded Belize and Honduras and led to 37 deaths.
- Tropical Storm Delta: struck the Canary Islands.
2004 Caribbean Hurricanes:
- Tropical Storm Earl: affected Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.
- Hurricane Frances: struck the Bahamas as a category 3 hurricane.
- Hurricane Ivan: severely damaged Grenada as a category 3 hurricane, and when it was a category 5, Ivan's winds rattled most of Grand Cayman Island. A more mild Ivan hit western Cuba.
- Hurricane Jeanne: heavy rains affected Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the northern Bahamas.
2003 Caribbean Hurricanes:
- Hurricane Erika: barely classified as a hurricane, Erika killed two in northeastern Mexico.
- Hurricane Fabian: one of the most damaging hurricanes in Bermuda, Fabian was labeled a category 3.
- Tropical Storm Larry: resulted in five deaths in southeastern Mexico.
- Tropical Storm Mindy: led to heavy rains in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
- Tropical Storm Odette: led to eight deaths in the Dominican Republic.
2002 Caribbean Hurricanes:
- Hurricane Isidore: as a category 1 it hit western Cuba and as a category 3 it hit the Yucatan Peninsula.
- Hurricane Lili: affected many parts of the Caribbean, including western Cuba, Windward Islands, northeastern Cayman Islands, and Jamaica.
2001 Caribbean Hurricanes:
- Tropical Storm Chantal: landed near the Mexico-Belize border.
- Tropical Storm Dean: affected the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
- Hurricane Iris: this category 4 hurricane devastated Belize.
- Hurricane Karen: caused damage in Bermuda as a category 1 hurricane.
- Hurricane Michelle: a category 4 hurricane that severely affected Cuba, the Bahamas, Nicaragua, Honduras, Andros Island, and Eleuthera Island.
2005 Caribbean Hurricanes:
- Tropical Storm Bret: landed in Tuxpan, Mexico, caused floods and led to one death.
- Hurricane Dennis: struck Punta del Ingles in southeastern Cuba as a category 4 hurricane. It later went out to sea, re-intensified to a category 4, then struck Punta Mangles Altos, Cuba.
- Hurricane Emily: as a category 4 it struck Grenada, Cozumel, the Yucatan peninsula, and northeastern Mexico.
- Tropical Storm Gert: brought heavy rains to eastern Mexico.
- Tropical Storm Harvey: didn't have a large impact, but brought severe conditions to Bermuda.
- Tropical Storm José: struck eastern Mexico, causing floods and six deaths.
- Hurricane Stan: struck the Yucatan Peninsula as a tropical storm and damaged eastern Mexico and Central America, went to sea, strengthened, and landed again in Veracruz as a category 1 hurricane.
- Hurricane Wilma: as a category 4 hurricane, Wilma devastated Cozumel and the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula.
- Tropical Storm Alpha: flooded Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
- Hurricane Beta: as a category 2 hurricane, Beta struck Nicaragua and destroyed parts of the island of Provencia.
- Tropical Storm Gamma: flooded Belize and Honduras and led to 37 deaths.
- Tropical Storm Delta: struck the Canary Islands.
2004 Caribbean Hurricanes:
- Tropical Storm Earl: affected Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.
- Hurricane Frances: struck the Bahamas as a category 3 hurricane.
- Hurricane Ivan: severely damaged Grenada as a category 3 hurricane, and when it was a category 5, Ivan's winds rattled most of Grand Cayman Island. A more mild Ivan hit western Cuba.
- Hurricane Jeanne: heavy rains affected Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the northern Bahamas.
2003 Caribbean Hurricanes:
- Hurricane Erika: barely classified as a hurricane, Erika killed two in northeastern Mexico.
- Hurricane Fabian: one of the most damaging hurricanes in Bermuda, Fabian was labeled a category 3.
- Tropical Storm Larry: resulted in five deaths in southeastern Mexico.
- Tropical Storm Mindy: led to heavy rains in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
- Tropical Storm Odette: led to eight deaths in the Dominican Republic.
2002 Caribbean Hurricanes:
- Hurricane Isidore: as a category 1 it hit western Cuba and as a category 3 it hit the Yucatan Peninsula.
- Hurricane Lili: affected many parts of the Caribbean, including western Cuba, Windward Islands, northeastern Cayman Islands, and Jamaica.
2001 Caribbean Hurricanes:
- Tropical Storm Chantal: landed near the Mexico-Belize border.
- Tropical Storm Dean: affected the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
- Hurricane Iris: this category 4 hurricane devastated Belize.
- Hurricane Karen: caused damage in Bermuda as a category 1 hurricane.
- Hurricane Michelle: a category 4 hurricane that severely affected Cuba, the Bahamas, Nicaragua, Honduras, Andros Island, and Eleuthera Island.