I want to talk about hurricanes in the context of everything else that is going on.

Forecasts are calling for a very active Atlantic hurricane season (we’re already on our third named storm!) and an average Pacific one. That’s enough of a concern. But this year, there’s the backdrop of COVID-19, huge insurance losses from hurricanes over the last three years, and the possibility of continuing civil unrest in the US.

What does it mean for boat owners?

• There may be travel restrictions due to the coronavirus, both for moving your boat to a protected place and for evacuation. This is especially true if you need to evacuate from a foreign country.
• Coronavirus travel restrictions and lockdowns could influence when you can return to your boat, particularly if it involves international travel.
• In the US, evacuation may also be impacted by civil unrest.
• Hurricane shelters will likely be taking fewer people (see this CNN article about how states are preparing for evacuations and hurricanes in general).
• At the same time, insurers are imposing stricter requirements on where boats must go and how they must be prepped after the losses in Harvey, Irma, Maria, Florence, Michael, and Dorian in the past three years.

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst:

Now is the time to start planning, and you need to have not just one plan, but several alternatives:

• Plan two or three places you could put your boat.
• Get the supplies you’d need for each option.
• Discuss your plans with your insurer.
• Plan various evacuation scenarios from each location and do not count on public transportation or a rental car being available.
• Figure out where you could go if shelters are full.

Solid plans are the way to avoid panic. It’s up to each of us to develop our own plans that are realistic for where we are, how vulnerable to COVID we are, and the resources available where we are.

There are no blanket answers – 2020 could well be a hurricane season like no other and refusing to think about it will not make the difficulties go away.

Resources:

Start by reading an expanded version of an article I wrote for Cruising World, “How to Prepare a Boat for a Major Hurricane.”

For more details, check out all my hurricane prep articles and podcasts.

On Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 8:40AM Eastern, I’ll be talking with Jim Cantori on The Weather Channel about hurricane prep for boats. I’ll only be on for a few minutes, but please tune in!

Carolyn Shearlock

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Carolyn Shearlock has been cruising for over 12 years and 11,000 miles, first on a Tayana 37 monohull and now on a 34′ Gemini catamaran with her husband. She writes the Boat Galley with tips, reviews and how to’s for liveaboard cruising.

https://theboatgalley.com/

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

• See the Noonsite Weather Page for more links and articles about Hurricanes.
• COVID-19 Resources Page

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.