What to Do When Travel Disasters Strike

We spoke with Michelle Berneir-Toth, the Managing Director for Overseas Citizens Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs at the Department of State, to get her expert opinion on how to prepare for a trip abroad. She recommends checking travel.state.gov for up-to-the-minute warnings about potential problems like terrorist activity, widespread civil unrest, and breaking emergencies. Her second piece of advice is to write down the address and telephone number of the U.S. Embassy in the country you’re visiting, and to make multiple copies of your passport. Travelers can also register with Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), so that the embassy can contact you directly in case of an emergency. Don’t forget to leave your itinerary and a copy of your passport with a trusted friend or family member back home, so, if necessary, they can get help on your behalf as well.

It might seem obvious, but if there’s a hurricane, tornado, tsunami, earthquake, flood, fire, volcanic eruption, or other epic natural disaster near you, listen to local reports and follow their directions. Many hotels train their staff on how to deal with an emergency. Ideally, you’ve already taken serious note of the evacuation routes (a smart habit to get into no matter where you’re traveling). When a disaster strikes, leave belongings behind and remain calm. It's a good idea to travel with a small flashlight, and those traveling particularly far afield should pack a grab-and-go mini-survival kit.

One of the best pieces of travel advice is to have as many airline phone numbers programmed into your cell phone as possible. If your flight is canceled once you're at the airport, get in line with everyone else to speak to an agent, but call the airline directly as well. Someone on the phone might be able to rebook you more quickly. If there aren’t any available flights for rebooking until the following day, airlines are no longer required by law to put stranded travelers up in a hotel (especially if the delay is due to weather), but a few still will if you ask for a voucher directly. Always travel with a cell phone charger (battery powered options are best for emergencies when everyone is huddled around the one outlet in the terminal floor), snack, clean change of clothes, and basic toiletries in your carry-on -- no matter how quick the flight is supposed to be.

Ideally, you’ve already checked the State Department’s travel warning website before heading to a country that’s politically unstable; these things rarely happen overnight -- although anything is always possible. If the government is overthrown (of there are riots and political unrest), getting to the U.S. embassy -- fast -- is the best way to deal with this less-than-ideal situation. But don’t put yourself or fellow travelers in harm’s way; use your best judgement, which may mean you choose to stay in your hotel room and call the embassy until you get the all clear. Avoid large groups of protestors on the streets.

Check with your insurance company before you leave the country to find out what it covers overseas. You may need to purchase supplemental insurance, as most policies won’t cover a medical evacuation to the United States, which almost always costs tens of thousands of dollars. U.S. embassies and consulates maintain lists of local hospitals and doctors, which can be found on their public websites. If you’re feeling ill, but perhaps not sick enough to warrant a visit to the hospital, it may be more effective to check yourself into a luxury hotel. Upscale properties often provide on-call doctors (for a fee, but it’s more comfortable than any emergency room). Be sure you’re up-to-date with all your vaccinations and check with your doctor before leaving to see if you need any prescriptions for anti-Malarial medication, the Yellow Fever vaccine, or other medications that might be more necessary when abroad. Leave an "in case of emergency card" in your wallet (in both English and the native language of the country you’re visiting) that you can give to hospital staff so they can contact your family back home. The consulate should be reached in serious cases, and this is why you should leave an itinerary with a family member or friend, and check in once in awhile. If you have a prescription, bring extras and keep all of them in their original containers.

Ouch, this one adds insult to injury. It’s always wise to carry small bills and spread out cash between the hotel safe and your wallet, and also keep a hidden stash among your personal belongings (with your dirty laundry, perhaps?). Leave pricey jewelry at home and don’t flash your valuables while in public. Keep a copy of your passport with you, and a picture of it in your smart phone as a backup. If your passport is stolen, you’ll need to file a police report before the embassy can issue you a temporary travel document. It’s worth putting password locks on computers and smart phones, and installing the Find my iPhone app. Take photos of your valuables before you leave; your insurance company may partially reimburse you for stolen electronics and clothes if you have a record of their existence.

While a kidnapping is a highly unlikely occurrence, we can’t stress enough how important it is to check in with a contact at home on a regular basis and leave an itinerary with someone, so they have a general idea of where you should be. Apps like I’m Getting Kidnapped might save the day. Hit one button and the app automatically sends a customized message (like, "Laura is in danger, here is is her last location. Please alert authorities.") to the numbers you previously programmed into your phone. The message will be sent every 15 minutes. The app is available in 14 languages, but only on Android devices. It’s probably best to alert family and friends about the app before dropping it on them, and, of course, if you have access to your cell phone, calling local authorities should be the first priority. Also, always put up a fight from the beginning. Studies show that more kidnapping victims escape when they try to get away as early as possible, versus those who think that going along with their abductors will eventually lead to freedom.

The last few years have been tough for the cruiseline industry, with everything from an Ebola scare on a ship headed for Belize, to the infamous “poop cruise” that left Carnival Triumph passengers at sea for five days without working toilets. In response, Cruise Lines International Association drafted a passenger bill of rights, which includes everything from the right to an emergency power source in case of a main generator failure, to the very important right to disembark a docked ship if adequate food, water, and restroom facilities become unavailable onboard. While there isn't much that stranded passengers can do if there's an emergency onboard, listening to the crew and remaining calm are good first steps.

Tune into “Locked up Abroad” on the National Geographic Channel and you'll be amazed at how seemingly simple it is to end up in the slammer overseas. Of course, in reality, odds are pretty slim that you’ll be arrested (especially, ahem, if you don’t break the law). It’s important to remember that laws vary from country to country and that every person visiting that country must follow them. If you do find yourself behind bars, the State Department should know about it: ASAP. The arresting officer may contact the consulate if you announce that you’re a U.S. citizen, but if you can get one phone call, make it to the American Embassy, not your mom back in Illinois. Consulate officers monitor foreign prisons for abuse or unfair treatment towards U.S. prisoners, and will do what they can to provide assistance to the citizen, as well as his or her family back home.