Prepare Against Typhoon and Flood
Edited by Mark Zonio, Eng, EJ, Lynn and 17 others
Typhoon and Flood are calamities that can result in great loss of property and life. Typhoon Yolanda or Hayai is one of the strongest typhoons that ever happened in the world and hit the Islands of the Philippines.
The typhoon contained wind speeds that moved at an average speed of 215 kph, killed thousands of people and destroyed property around the country. It was very harmful in the Visayas areas (Tacloban, Leyte, Ormoc, Samar, Camotes, and Bantayan Island).
A typhoon warning is declared according to the speed of wind that will exist in the specified area. Being prepared for this type of storm is one of the best ways to combat it. You cannot prevent the storm from taking place, but you can plan ahead and make sure that you have everything in order before it hits.
In fact when you plan ahead for a route to evacuate and for the supplies that you are going to need to have in place before the storm hits, it could save your life or the lives of those that you love. Planning ahead for inclement weather is imperative in order to survive.
- 1 Typhoon Signals
- 2 Steps in preparing against a typhoon and flood:
- 3 Questions and Comments
- 4 Questions and Answers
- 4.1 Where should I be if our area declares a signal no. 3 typhoon?
- 4.2 Hi, what advice would you give in order to prepare for a typhoon?
- 4.3 What will I do during the typhoon?
- 4.4 What will happen to the surroundings when there is a signal no.1?
- 4.5 I need to know about interventions that protect people against typhoons?
- 4.6 If you will leave your house, what safety measures you must do?
- 4.7 What action preparation does the community do in preparing the typhoon?
- 4.8 What to do if typhoon signal no.1 coming to our place in, before, during, and after?
- 4.9 What are the things we need to do when we are preparing for the strong typhoon?
- 4.10 What happened to your locality when very strong typhoon visited your place?
- 4.11 Why is public storm signal warning very important?
- 5 Comments
Typhoon Signals
The wind speed characteristic of the typhoon classifies the signal number of a typhoon.
Signal #1
- 130-60 kphWind Speed:
- 2Twigs and branches of small trees may be broken and some banana plants maybe tilted or downed. Some houses made of very light materials (nipa and cogon) may be partially unroofed.Impact:
- 3The waves on coastal waters may gradually develop and become bigger and higher.Measures/prevention:
Signal #2
- 160-100 kphWind Speed:
- 2Some coconut trees may be tilted, with a few others broken, and few big trees may be uprooted. Many banana plants may be downed. Large number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or totally unroofed, and some old galvanized iron roofing may be peeled off. The winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed communities.Impact:
- 3Sea and coastal waters are dangerous to small sea crafts. Special attention should be given to the latest position, the direction and speed of movement and the intensity of the storm, as it may intensify and move towards the locality. The general public, especially people traveling by sea and air, are cautioned to avoid unnecessary risks. Outdoor activities should be postponed. Secure properties before the signal are upgraded.Measures/prevention:
Signal #3
- 1101-185 kphWind Speed:
- 2Moderate to heavy damage may be experienced, particularly in the agricultural and industrial sectors. Many coconut trees may be broken or destroyed, almost all banana plants may be downed and a large number of trees may be uprooted. The majority of all nipa and cogon houses may be unroofed or destroyed and there may be considerable damage to structures of light to medium construction. There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services.Impact:
- 3The disturbance is dangerous to the communities threatened or affected. The sea and coastal waters will be very dangerous to all sea crafts. Travel is very risky, especially by sea and air. People are advised to seek shelter in strong buildings, evacuate low-lying areas and stay away from the coast and river banks. When the "eye" of the typhoon hits the community, do not venture away from the safe shelter because after one to two hours the worst weather will resume with very strong winds coming from the south.Measures/prevention:
Signal #4
- 1Greater than 185 kphWind Speed:
- 2The locality is very like to be hit directly by the eye of the typhoon. Many large trees may be uprooted. Most residential and institutional buildings of mixed construction may be severely damaged. Electrical power distribution and communication services may be severely disrupted. Overall, damage to affected communities can be very heavy.Impact:
- 3The situation is potentially very destructive to the community. All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled. Evacuations to safer shelters should have been completed, since it may be too late under this situation.Measures/prevention:
Steps in preparing against a typhoon and flood:
Being prepared and aware of the right things you have to do during these disasters will give you greater chance to be safe and survive.
- 1Keep your radio on and listen to the latest weather bulletin and announcements.Being aware of the latest weather conditions will help you decide the things you need to prepare and do. Be aware and updated with the latest PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL in your area and of how long the typhoon is expected to last. This will guide you in the appropriate measures and prevention you have to do. Don't pay attention to rumors.
- 2Prepare and keep necessary supplies that will be usable and will last long enough.Ensure that necessary items during the typhoon and flood are ready. Important items to prepare that will help you survive are flashlight, candles, transistor radio, extra batteries, cash, phone, essential medicines, extra food (particularly those that don't need to be cooked and are easy to prepare), emergency cooking facilities, and bottled water, as water service may be cut off.
- 3Know the emergency numbers in your place.In case of emergency conditions where you need further assistance, you will be able to ask for help if you know how to communicate with the right personnel.
- 4Know your PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL. Stay away from low-lying beaches or other locations which may be swept away by high tides or storm waves. If your current location has a difficult passage toward a high ground, which will likely to be under water during a severe storm, then you should leave early. If your house will not be affected by a high tide and is well-built or anchored, then it is probably the best place to be during a storm. Be aware of the typhoon signal in your place to help you decide on where to stay and react to the condition. Board up and securely fasten Windows. Whenever applicable, anchor the house with strong wires. Check everything that might be blown away or turned loose that can result in flying objects. These are dangerous during typhoons.Stay in a safe place.
- 5Check and communicate after the typhoon.If the eye of the typhoon has passed your house, there may be a lull lasting for an hour. Stay in a safe place. Make emergency repairs during the lull if necessary. But remember that the wind will return suddenly from the opposite direction with even greater violence. Do not turn on your electrical supplies unless it is safe to use them. It will be much better if it is inspected with qualified personnel first. If necessary, report to your nearest Disaster Coordinating Council (government).
Your ability to handle an emergency will give you the ability to decide and act appropriately. This can also inspire others and help them too by sharing with them the knowledge that will make them do the appropriate actions too.
Questions and Comments
How to survive when you are stuck in an enclosed place?
If you ever find yourself stacked inside an enclosed space, lets say your house was buried by either a landslide or debris and rubble. The first thing to do is don't panic. Its a cliche but it can definitely save your life and sway you from doing anything stupid. Below are additional tips which you can utilize to enhance your survival rate:
- 1This will provide you with protection against falling objects and a breathing space, if nothing is available try to brace yourself against a strong and solid interior wall devoid of glass, mounted shelves or Windows and try using boxes, blankets or other similar materials for your protection against light debris and glass fragments.Try crawling under a sturdy piece of furniture like a bed or a desk.
- What to do when the water level increases in your place?
When the water level increases in your area, it is best to know the things you should do to avoid drastic events to happen. Here are some things you should be doing in order to guarantee the safety of yourself and your family from the water level increase.
- 1Precautions.
- Watch the News, or frequently listen to the radio. It is best to always be updated especially if it has something to do with a storm, or any calamity that may befall on your place. Turn on the television and be attentive enough to see the alerts given by the reporters. This will notify you whether there will be an upcoming storm, earthquake, tsunami, or suchlike that will happen several days, or even hours from that day. Aside from protecting your family from the water level increase, or the storm, you will also be able to secure all of the things in your house that you labeled as important. This could be your appliances, savings, treasured items, and others. If fast enough, you may be able to completely save all of your appliances from the water level increase. That is why it is best to always be attentive and alert with your surroundings.
- Observe your surroundings. There will be times that news and reports in televisions and radios will be late. If this is the case then, the only thing you could rely onto is your observational skills. If you know that there is something wrong with the surroundings, and predicted that there will be some catastrophic events, follow your instincts and quickly evacuate.
- 2Now, here are the things you should do when the water level increases in your place.Things To Do.
- Evacuate. Obviously, this is the first thing to do when the water is rapidly increasing in your place. Life is much important than things, that is why, save yourself and your family first by moving to a safer place.
- Put your things on top of your house. If you are aware that there will be a flood in your place, but not that type of flood in which everything will sink then, immediately put your things on top of your house, especially the appliances/electronics because a few drops of water on its parts might make it non-functional.
- Prepare lifebuoys and life jackets. When there is an increase of water level in your place due to an unfortunate event, or a storm, do not be complacent just because it looks like you and your family will not be affected, and that your house is safe from the flood. Prepare some lifebuoys and life jackets just to make sure. It is recommended to have lifebuoys and life jackets more than what you and your family needs. This is also a precaution for accidents. You may also use the excess life buoys and jackets to help other people.
It is important to be always aware of the news. Take necessary actions once the national disaster agency give caution. Prevention is better than cure. The instructions above can help you and your family avoid traumatic tragedy when typhoon strikes.
- If you have any concerns with any of these steps please post in the comments section below.
Questions and Answers
Where should I be if our area declares a signal no. 3 typhoon?
Evacuating your area is the best thing to do when a storm signal number 3 is declared. If you are in an area near the seas or rivers, you should go to a safer place away from the water. This is to spare yourself and your loved ones from the storm surges or flooding due to river water overflow.
If you live in a high place, or at the foot of a mountain, move out as soon as possible. Soil erosion or landslides are likely to happen, especially if there is too much rain or non-stop rain for prolonged period of time.
When the local government advises you to leave your home, do so and don't wait to act only when the flood is already rising or the damage has already been done. If you are not comfortable with evacuation areas set by the government, you may want to stay with family members who are situated in safer areas.
Hi, what advice would you give in order to prepare for a typhoon?
In order from the first thing you do, what clothes do you wear, how to get food, how to just prepare
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What will I do during the typhoon?
When I'm at home and there is a strong typhoon.
You have to move away from the Windows as they can shatter and injure you with the broken glass. Quickly run and turn off all of the electrical devices, shut off natural gas valves to avoid leakage, and douse fire in hearths or stoves. Find a safe spot near the walls of rooms, in the corridor, in the bathroom, or hide in the closet or under the table. These objects will protect you from both the wind and any possible objects dropping from above.
If you reside in an apartment building on upper floors, then you have to run downstairs. Go into the basement or cellar. Turn on the radio to listen to emergency announcements and instructions on what to do. Do not go out of the house as soon as you think that the typhoon has finished. It can be the wrong impression.
When the typhoon is over, check the house for electrical wire damage and construction integrity. Call the emergency services if you see any damage or gas leakage.
Please read our tutorials on emergency situations: Plan for a Home Emergency and Get Your Pet Out of the Home in an Emergency.
What will happen to the surroundings when there is a signal no.1?
When the typhoon signal no.1 what will happen to the surroundings?
A signal # 1 typhoon is officially known as PSWS #1 and predicts that a tropical cyclone winds of 30 km/h (19 mph) to 60 km/h (37 mph) are expected within 36 hours or less. This means that the cyclone is at the beginning of it's genesis and still gathering strength still off-shore. The cyclone's effects at this stage may feel like mild to strong off-shore breezes without doing much damage to the environment. As the cyclone progresses through its stages of PSWS #2, PSWS#3, PSWS#4 and PSWS # and to the eighteen to twelve hour point, the winds get stronger and flooding, falling trees and flying debris are more likely with winds between 121 km/h (75 mph) to 220 km/h (140 mph).
VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.
I need to know about interventions that protect people against typhoons?
I need to know about inventions that protect people against typhoons.
VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.
If you will leave your house, what safety measures you must do?
Please answer my question. I need it as a subject G.M.R.C
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What action preparation does the community do in preparing the typhoon?
What action preparation does the community do in preparing the typhoon
VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.
What to do if typhoon signal no.1 coming to our place in, before, during, and after?
Typhoon Onyok is a signal no.1 in Philippines
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What are the things we need to do when we are preparing for the strong typhoon?
What are the things we need to do when we are preparing for the strong typhoon?
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What happened to your locality when very strong typhoon visited your place?
I just want to ask when a very strong typhoon visited your place please answer my question....... What happens to your locality when there is strong rain?
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Why is public storm signal warning very important?
Why is public storm signal warning very important? What will I do if there is a typhoon? Because this is my homework, I want to get the highest score than my other classmates
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If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
