The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center expects the 2011 hurricane season to be worst than normal in the Atlantic.
Current 2011 Hurricane Predictions for the Atlantic
NOAA predicts a 70% chance of 12 to 18 named storms, including 6 to 10 hurricanes. In addition, 3 to 6 of those hurricanes are expected to significantly disrupt travel and weather.
Current 2011 Hurricane Prediction for the Pacific
NOAA predicts a 70% chance of 9 to 15 named storms, including 5 to 8 hurricanes. In addition 1 to 3 of those are expected to be major hurricanes.
In the aftermath of previous storms, U.S. citizens traveling abroad have encountered uncomfortable and, in some cases, dangerous conditions that lasted several days while awaiting transportation back home. In addition, many U.S. travelers were forced to delay travel plans due to infrastructure damage to airports or limited flight availability. Roads that are washed out or obstructed by debris adversely affect access to airports and land routes into and out of affected areas.
Protecting your Travel
It’s important to remember your travel insurance benefits must be in effect before a storm is named if you are to have coverage for hurricane-related travel disasters. This includes the following benefits:
In addition, travel insurance protection for hurricanes cannot be purchased once the storm is named.
Staying on Top of Hurricane Warnings
NOAA’s National Hurricane Center recently joined the Twitter-sphere and has two Twitter accounts: one for the Atlantic basin, which includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, and one for the Eastern North pacific basin.  Stay on top of alerts like public advisories on tropical cyclones and tropical weather warnings.