As an island chain in the middle of the Pacific, it’s no wonder that the Philippines is regarded as one of the most affected by the impacts of climate change. Several destructive typhoons have hit the Philippines.
Typhoons are growing more often and stronger, and with such a sensitive population, it is critical to be ready. This article will introduce some things you must remember when typhoon Philippines comes.
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About Typhoon Philippines
The Pacific storm cycle generally kicks off in April with fewer intense typhoons and lasts until November. The most powerful hurricanes often strike in the weeks of August and September.
The Republic of the Philippines often and seriously hits 18 to 20 typhoons yearly, arriving from east Asia, veering north, and making ashore in Taiwan and China.
Typhoons are most powerful when they are over warm waterways. They start to recede as they reach inland, although frequently not before wreaking havoc.
Thus, the place in the area prone to typhoons in the Pacific and its physical characteristics, the Philippines is especially susceptible to tropical storms, which cause torrential rainfall and flooding over vast regions, as well as severe thunderstorms, resulting in numerous fatalities and harvest and damage to property.
What Do You Prepare Before Typhoon Philippines?
Watch The Weather News
Listen to your local radio/television or communication channel to understand the storm’s path and severity. It can help you know which flash flood paths to avoid, which roads are currently impassable, which evacuation centers, and which rescue places.
Check The Drainage Line
Gutters and downspouts must be clear because rainwater can stagnate and cause flooding.
Clear fallen leaves from the roof as they can clog storm drains. The drainage system and surrounding sewer pipes must be cleared to prevent flooding from damaging your home and property.
Ensure The Safety Of The Residence
Clean up the garden, balcony, etc., to ensure there is nothing that the wind can blow around during a storm, causing harm to your house. Move bicycles, lawn or garden furniture, or construction materials inside the house or shed.
Cover windows and doors carefully. Utilize storm shutters or plywood nailed to exterior window frames, which can help keep your family safe from broken glass in case wind impacts break the window glass.
Prepare Necessities
The most important tasks should involve acquiring adequate nourishment and water for everybody in the home for at least three days before a typhoon strikes (rescue generally comes within 72 hours shortly after a hurricane strikes).
When it involves aliments, buy those that do not require heating before consumption. Pork and legumes, canned seafood, bacon, and other rapid products are wonderful choices. Although noodles made instantaneously are enticing, they must be cooked before eating.
Keeping all of the required ordinary and prescribed drugs on hand, in addition to a kit for first aid, will be beneficial. During typhoons, ailments and injuries are common, and medication shops may be unavailable.
Purchasing personal safety equipment such as work boots, rain jackets, and robust gloves would also be beneficial post-typhoon. You will require them to safely evaluate the damage outdoors, tidy up, and potentially wade across floodwaters.
Migration
The government can issue an evacuation order for super storms to ensure safety. When receiving an evacuation order, you should not ignore the evacuation order because even the most sturdy houses sometimes cannot withstand super storms.
Staying home to protect your property is not worth risking your life and safety. When evacuating, remember to bring the necessary items listed above.
How To Stay Safe In The Typhoon
Remain Calm
During the storm, you should not panic. Calmly listen to the radio or TV for updated information about the storm. If not necessary, do not leave the shelter; stay away from glass doors.
Stay inside; do not leave the house until officially notified that the storm has completely dissipated. Sometimes, the storm subsides, but if the battery has not passed, you leave the house, and the storm gets worse, which is very dangerous.
Be Careful With Electrical
When a storm hits, you must be able to take safety measures. If you see a notice from the authorities, immediately disconnect the power source device. Keep a distance of 1m from electrical equipment, power holders, and wires.
Severe weather can cause power lines to fall to the ground. These wires can transmit electricity into puddles, wet grass, and surrounding areas. Never go near fallen power lines or anyone or anything touching power lines. When going out, wear dry plastic shoes.
What Can’t You Do When A Typhoon Comes?
Typhoons bring strong winds, flooding, and even tornadoes and lightning strikes, endangering everyone. See now what you should not do during a storm to ensure safety
- Do not approach or enter damaged or flooded buildings, obey warning signs when driving, and do not enter flooded roads or obstacles (even with large vehicles) because Vehicles may be swept away by water or be dangerous.
- Never stop to rest or take shelter under leaves or tree stumps to avoid being struck by lightning, which can endanger your life.
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through fast-moving water. Beware of snakes in flooded areas.
- Do not use food that has been exposed to flood water or food that has been damaged. Use water from safe sources (e.g., bottled water) until your household water source is no longer contaminated.
- Do not use candles for lighting to search for items in confined spaces or gas stove areas, as this can easily lead to the risk of fire and explosion.
How To Overcome The Consequences After Typhoon Philippines
Follow Typhoon Situation Through The Media
The typhoon has passed, but it is not necessarily safe because there may be another storm or a flood after that. Therefore, through local radio, TV, and online newspapers, you need to monitor the storm and weather situation to see if it will be sunny or rainy in the next few days to have prevention plans.
Check For Damage
You need to check for damage to your home and carry out repairs to avoid metal and wood debris.
When inspecting and repairing your home, you must wear protective gear and equipment when working in dangerous areas. You must check your house’s safety if it is damaged before entering it.
Ask an electrician or someone knowledgeable about electricity to check the electrical system before use. Be careful of exposed electrical wires and cables submerged in water. Notify authorities if there are damaged cables or fallen electric poles.
Be careful of dangerous animals crawling into the house (snakes, hissing, scorpions).
Clean Mud From Walls And Floors
Prolonged heavy rain causes the water level to rise so that houses will be flooded. After the water recedes, the walls and floors will be covered in mud. Before cleaning the ground, move your furniture to one corner. If it’s dry, take it all outside.
Next, drain all the water outside and use a broom to sweep away the mud. If necessary, use a shovel to scoop the dirt out of the house, then use water to wash off the ground. If mud sticks to the wall, use a brush with soap to clean it from top to bottom.
Disinfect Home
If your house is flooded or moldy, disinfect it to avoid bacteria and odor attacks.
To quickly remove the musty smell and disease-causing bacteria, disinfect and kill bacteria by spraying the indoor air with a dose of Resparkle air disinfectant spray, which will help you quickly remove the musty smell. The product eliminates up to 99.99% of bacteria, such as H1N1, chickenpox, Ebola, and respiratory diseases.
Disinfect Domestic And Cooking Water Sources
If your family’s domestic or drinking water source has been contaminated by flood water, in case there is an alternative water source, drain all the water and disinfect the water tank with chloramine B before using it again.
If you use water for drinking, you need to boil the water before drinking.
Clean Up The Landscape Around The House
After your house has stabilized, you clean up fallen trees around the house and pick up trash for disposal. If there are dead animals, they should be destroyed immediately to avoid disease. Do not let water overflow into tires, trunks, etc., to prevent mosquitoes from causing dengue fever.
Conclusion
In an unfavorable geographical location, exposed to many storms, the Philippines always faces severe consequences despite deeper standards. This article has shown a valuable guide for citizens when dealing with typhoon Philippines.
Being prepared to face a typhoon is the most important thing you can do for yourself alongside the people you love. Remember that you must first care for yourself before you can take care of others.
