Disaster and Typhoon Preparedness

Disaster and Storm preparedness.

In the Philippines we average around 19 tropical cyclones or storms enter the Philippine Area Of Responsibility in a typical year and of these usually 6 to 9 make landfall.^[4][5](source Wikipedia).


 

That's why we need to be aware of the different terminologies used by the meteorologists and weathermen:

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) releases tropical cyclone warnings in the form of Public Storm Warning Signals.^[3] An area having a storm signal may be under:

• PSWS #1 - Tropical cyclone winds of 30 km/h (19 mph) to 60 km/h (37 mph) are expected within the next 36 hours. (Note: If a tropical cyclone forms very close to the area, then a shorter lead time is seen on the warning bulletin.)


• PSWS #2 - Tropical cyclone winds of 60 km/h (37 mph) to 100 km/h (62 mph) are expected within the next 24 hours.


• PSWS #3 - Tropical cyclone winds of 100 km/h (62 mph) to 185 km/h (115 mph) are expected within the next 18 hours.


• PSWS #4 - Tropical cyclone winds of greater than 185 km/h (115 mph) are expected within 12 hours. (source Wikipedia)

 

Also, they have released an announcement regarding the amount of rainfall per hour:




Here are some of the AM Radio stations you might want to listen to to keep yourselves updates:

DZBB http://www.gmanetwork.com/radio/dzbb or station number 594

DZMM http://dzmm.abs-cbnnews.com/ or station number 630

 

Things you need to prepare for your house:

1. Food
   
   
   
   1. Make sure your food have 2 types:
      
      
      
      1. Ready to eat - no cooking
      
      
      2. instant  - like noodles and oatmeal.
      
      
      
      
   
   
   
   

Here are a couple of examples:

Canned good - preferably the easy to open type.

Noodles

Coffee

Chocolate bars - for quick energy

2. Water - have at least a couple liters of potable or mineral water on hand.

3. Flashlights

Preferably have 2 type of flashlights: The rechargeable type - you plug it in and the battery type.

4. Portable radio - preferably those with AM radio capabilities.

5. Emergency Numbers: Know your emergency numbers.

6. Mobile Phone - Make sure your mobile phone is completely charged and with load.

7. Portable recharger for your mobile phones.

8. Medicines - Paracetamol and Vitamins

9. Generator - if you have the funds for it. You can buy a small generator for around 8000 php, which can run for 3-4 hrs on gasoline mixed with some Tutti. These types of generators can accommodate 2-3 appliances depends on the voltage used.


 

Most importantly, keep yourself updated with your local baranggay officials. Remember, your lives are more important that you property. So evacuate when they tell you.