Every time a storm enters the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has been reminding the public to take necessary precautionary measures so as to minimize, if not prevent casualties and damage.
That being said, following is a list of precautionary measures by PAGASA and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Under Signal No. 1, areas along the typhoon path may have no damage to very light damage; Signal No. 2: light to moderate damage; Signal No. 3: moderate to heavy damage; Signal No. 4: heavy to very heavy damage; and Signal No. 5: very heavy to widespread damage.
What to do during tropical cyclone wind Signal No. 1?
Areas under Signal No. 1 may experience 30 to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) of winds or intermittent rains within 36 hours from the time the tropical cyclone warning has been raised.
1. Listen to your radio for more information about weather disturbance.
2. Check the ability of the house to withstand strong winds and strengthen it if necessary.
3. The people are advised to monitor the latest severe weather bulletin issued by PAGASA every six hours. Bulletins will be issued every three hours as the cyclone approaches. In the meantime, business may be carried out as usual except when flood occurs.
What to do during tropical cyclone wind Signal No. 2?
Areas may experience 61 kph to 120 kph of winds in at least 24 hours.
1. Special attention should be given to the latest position, the direction and speed movement as the cyclone may intensity and move towards the locality.
2. The general public, especially people travelling by sea and air are cautioned to avoid unnecessary risks.
3. Protect properties before signals are upgraded.
4. Board up windows or put storm shutters in place and securely fasten it. Stay at home.
What to do during tropical cyclone Signal No. 3?
Winds of greater than 121 kph up to 170 kph may be expected in at least 18 hours.
1. Keep your radio on and listen to the latest news about typhoon.
2. Everybody is advised to stay in safe and strong houses.
3. Evacuate from low-lying areas to higher grounds.
4. Stay away from coasts and riverbanks.
5. Watch out for the passage of the eye of the typhoon.
What to do during tropical cyclone Signal No. 4?
Winds of 171 kph to 220 kph in at least 12 hours may be expected in 12 hours.
1. Stay in safe houses or evacuation centers
2. All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.
3. Keep listening to your radio to the latest news about the typhoon.
What to do during tropical cyclone Signal No. 5?
Winds of more than 220 kph may be felt in 12 hours.
1. Stay in safe houses or evacuation centers
2. All travels and outdoor activities should be cancelled.
Areas that are at risk of flooding should;
1. Regularly monitor your radio and television for calamity news updates.
2. Prepare for enough candles, rechargeable lamps and flashlights for possible brownouts.
3. If you reside in an area near the river, waterways, or mountainsides, immediately evacuate to prevent flashfloods and landslides.
4. Store enough food, water, and first-aid kit.
5. Prepare a list of emergency hotlines.
Storm surge warnings can be found in the PAGASA's severe weather bulletin and in their impact-based color-coded storm surge warnings.
It is advised that all residents living in low-lying coastal communities should move to more elevated areas and keep in mind all reminders and warnings on floods brought by the storm surge.
A color-coded warnings are used to emphasize the severity of the impact of the storm surges:
RED: Take action as storm surge is CATASTROPHIC (may reach higher than 3 meters).
ORANGE: Storm surge is EXPECTED (1.1 to 3.0 meters).
YELLOW: Storm surge is POSSIBLE (0.5 to 1.0 meter).
GREEN: No alert and action is NOT REQUIRED.
PAGASA advised those living near coastlines to prepare at the earliest time if their communities had been identified as a storm surge-prone area.
* Identify the safest and quickest way to a high safe ground.
* Know the locations of concrete reinforced multi-story buildings designated by the local government for evacuation.
* Make pre-arrangements with family or friends living in higher grounds with whom you can temporarily stay with during the storm surge.
* Prepare to evacuate as soon as your Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) or your barangay officials advise you to do so.
* Should you be instructed to evacuate, do not forget to do bring your emergency kit, and switch off the electrical power supply and gas tank in your homes.