Emerald Coast Weather Safety Tips
5 Great Tips To Help You Weather the Storm
It’s always sunny at the beach, right? Well, sort of. While the summer is typically our peak season on the Emerald Coast of Florida, it also happens to be hurricane season! Part of our normal way of life here, hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. During this season, strong winds may whip over our warm gulf waters and unleash massive amounts of rainfall. And hurricanes are highly likely to take place over the coast. Although you probably won’t encounter anything besides some pesky rain, it’s always best to prepare for the worst! So, here are some Emerald Coast weather safety tips to help you prepare just in case.
1. Buy Travel Insurance.
Sometimes we have to cancel our vacation plans because of unforeseen circumstances. Work conflicts, illnesses, and, on rare occasions, storms and hurricanes (BOO!) are some uncontrollable situations that may arise. That’s why you should STRONGLY consider buying low-cost travel insurance. A travel insurance will help protect you from any trip losses should you need to change your plans last minute. Without it, you’ll be at risk of losing your ENTIRE rental fee if you cancel outside of your reservation’s cancellation period. We do not offer ANY refunds outside of our cancellation policy, even with bad weather conditions.
2. Pack smartly.
If you suspect that there may be storms brewing during your visit, remember to pack all of your essentials (think: medications) in your carry-on bag. Why? Because you just never know if your checked luggage will get delayed or worst, lost, due to the added chaos of airline cancellations.
3. Get informed.
First, you should realize that there is a real possibility of encountering stormy weather during your visit. If a large storm is brewing, you should check the weather reports regularly and keep an eye out for regional evacuation recommendations or news by state or local governments. You can get the latest Bay County announcements from the following local radio and television outlets: WFSY 98.5FM, WPAP 92.5FM, and WJHG TV News Channel 7. You should also check out FEMA’s app that provides real-time alerts from the National Weather service and important information on open emergency and recovery centers.
By keeping up with current local events and notices, you can make more informed decisions, like knowing if and when to evacuate to safety. Check out this amazing resource for more tips and tricks on how to travel during hurricane season.
4. Prepare an emergency kit
In the event of a hurricane, always try to follow the evacuation instructions from the local government. However, if you do not feel it necessary to evacuate and you decide to stay put at your vacation home, please consider gathering some essential items to help you get through the emergency period. Your emergency kit should include: a first-aid kit, a battery-operated radio, flashlights, drinkable water, and non-perishable food.
5. Fill your car up.
Many of our Florida visitors drive down from their home states. If that’s you, remember to fill your gas tank to avoid getting stranded in the middle of a mandated evacuation.
Come Rain or Shine
Although we want you to be prepared for worst-case scenarios, note that bad weather on the Emerald Coast and surrounding areas does not typically keep visitors from traveling and enjoying their trips. In light of this, we don not provide refunds based on bad weather conditions.
If you have any questions about our Emerald Coast weather safety tips, please reach out to us through hello@mightyvacay.com.
Want to know our house rules, house features, and emergency tips, too? Aside from our Emerald Coast weather safety tips, we’ve also provided all the other important info you will need during your stay at Mighty Vacay. Check out our welcome guidebooks!
Haven’t decided where to spend your vacation yet? Take a look at our rental cabins and beach homes in the Great Smokies, on Emerald Coast, and on Gulf Shores!
